Bikita pegmatite, Bikita District, Masvingo, Zimbabwe (original) (raw)

Bikita pegmatite, Bikita District, Masvingo, Zimbabwei

Regional Level Types
Bikita pegmatite Pegmatite (Active)
Bikita District District
Masvingo Province
Zimbabwe Country

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

19° 57' 47'' South , 31° 25' 39'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:4351:2

e563ce0e-c6d5-433d-9510-bbd80c5b995c

Other/historical names associated with this locality:

Bikita Minerals Mine

A Li-Sn-Cs rich pegmatite located 40 miles (ca. 64 km) E of Fort Victoria.

Total ore reserve claimed at over 11 million tons, in production for over 60 years, producing and marketing over 60,000 tonnes of Li and Cs ore per year. (Ref: private communication from CEO of Bikita Minerals, 3rd April 2007 - J. Ralph)

The largest Petalite deposit in the world.

In June 2022 the Sinomine Resource Group company bought the Bikita mine for $200 million.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz

Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

Mineral List

20 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Entries shown in red are rocks recorded for this region.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ AllophaneFormula: (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2OReferences: Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World. Geoscience Press, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. 567pp. Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ AmblygoniteFormula: LiAl(PO4)FReferences: Walsh, K.L. and Harmer, R.E. (1997) Excursion guide: Alkaline igneous rocks of southeastern Zimbabwe. Geological Society of Zimbabwe conference field trip No. 5 geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm Vanrusselt, Vik (2023) Personal Communication.
ⓘ 'Amblygonite-Montebrasite Series'References: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ 'Apatite'Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)References: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ ArsenopyriteFormula: FeAsSReferences: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ BerylFormula: Be3Al2(Si6O18)References: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y)Formula: Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2OReferences: Clark, A. M. (1993) Hey's Mineral Index - Mineral Species, Varieties and Synonyms (3rd ed.) Natural History Museum, London.
ⓘ BikitaiteFormula: LiAlSi2O6 · H2OReferences: Fernando Brederodes specimen photo ID 629137
ⓘ CalciteFormula: CaCO3References: Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World. Geoscience Press, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. 567pp. Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ 'Columbite-(Fe)-Columbite-(Mn) Series'References: Southern Rhodesia Geological Survey (1959). Tantalum and Niobium. Zimbabwe Geological Survey, Mineral Resources Survey No. 4
ⓘ EucryptiteFormula: LiAlSiO4References: Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World. Geoscience Press, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. 567pp. Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ FluorapatiteFormula: Ca5(PO4)3FReferences: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ HafnonFormula: HfSiO4References: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ MicroclineFormula: K(AlSi3O8)References: geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm
ⓘ 'Microlite Group'Formula: A2-mTa2X6-wZ-nReferences: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ MontebrasiteFormula: LiAl(PO4)(OH)References: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ MuscoviteFormula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2References: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ PetaliteFormula: LiAl(Si4O10)References: geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ PolluciteFormula: (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OReferences: geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ 'Polylithionite-Trilithionite Series'
ⓘ QuartzFormula: SiO2References: Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World. Geoscience Press, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. 567pp. Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ SimpsoniteFormula: Al4Ta3O13(OH)References: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ SpodumeneFormula: LiAlSi2O6References: geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ 'Stilbite Subgroup'Formula: M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2OReferences: Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World. Geoscience Press, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. 567pp. Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ 'Tantalite'Formula: (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6References: Southern Rhodesia Geological Survey (1959). Tantalum and Niobium. Zimbabwe Geological Survey, Mineral Resources Survey No. 4
ⓘ 'Tapiolite'Formula: (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6References: Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003
ⓘ 'Tetrahedrite Subgroup'Formula: Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12SReferences: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ TopazFormula: Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2References: Gallagher, M. J. (1967) Phosphates and other minerals in pegmatites of Rhodesia and Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 50-59 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.07
ⓘ 'Tourmaline'Formula: A D3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z References: Walsh, K.L. and Harmer, R.E. (1997) Excursion guide: Alkaline igneous rocks of southeastern Zimbabwe. Geological Society of Zimbabwe conference field trip No. 5
ⓘ ZabuyeliteFormula: Li2CO3Description: Found in fluid inclusions in spodumene.References: Anderson, A. J., Clark, A. H., & Gray, S. (2001). The occurrence and origin of zabuyelite (Li2CO3) in spodumene-hosted fluid inclusions: implications for the internal evolution of rare-element granitic pegmatites. The Canadian Mineralogist, 39(6), 1513-1527.
ⓘ 'Zinnwaldite'References: geology.csupomona.edu (2001) http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm Černý, P., Anderson, A. J., Tomascak, P. B., Chapman, R. (2003) Geochemical and morphological features of beryl from the Bikita granitic pegmatite, Zimbabwe. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (4) 1003-1011 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.4.1003

List of minerals for each chemical element

H Hydrogen
H ⓘ Allophane (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O
H ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y) Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O
H ⓘ Bikitaite LiAlSi2O6 · H2O
H ⓘ Montebrasite LiAl(PO4)(OH)
H ⓘ Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
H ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
H ⓘ Simpsonite Al4Ta3O13(OH)
H ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
H ⓘ Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
H ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Li Lithium
Li ⓘ Amblygonite LiAl(PO4)F
Li ⓘ Bikitaite LiAlSi2O6 · H2O
Li ⓘ Eucryptite LiAlSiO4
Li ⓘ Montebrasite LiAl(PO4)(OH)
Li ⓘ Petalite LiAl(Si4O10)
Li ⓘ Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
Li ⓘ Zabuyelite Li2CO3
Be Beryllium
Be ⓘ Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18)
B Boron
B ⓘ Tourmaline A D3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
C Carbon
C ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y) Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O
C ⓘ Calcite CaCO3
C ⓘ Zabuyelite Li2CO3
O Oxygen
O ⓘ Allophane (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O
O ⓘ Amblygonite LiAl(PO4)F
O ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y) Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O
O ⓘ Bikitaite LiAlSi2O6 · H2O
O ⓘ Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18)
O ⓘ Calcite CaCO3
O ⓘ Eucryptite LiAlSiO4
O ⓘ Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F
O ⓘ Hafnon HfSiO4
O ⓘ Microcline K(AlSi3O8)
O ⓘ Montebrasite LiAl(PO4)(OH)
O ⓘ Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
O ⓘ Petalite LiAl(Si4O10)
O ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
O ⓘ Quartz SiO2
O ⓘ Simpsonite Al4Ta3O13(OH)
O ⓘ Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
O ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
O ⓘ Tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6
O ⓘ Tapiolite (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6
O ⓘ Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
O ⓘ Tourmaline A D3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
O ⓘ Zabuyelite Li2CO3
O ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
F Fluorine
F ⓘ Amblygonite LiAl(PO4)F
F ⓘ Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F
F ⓘ Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
F ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Na Sodium
Na ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
Al Aluminium
Al ⓘ Allophane (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O
Al ⓘ Amblygonite LiAl(PO4)F
Al ⓘ Bikitaite LiAlSi2O6 · H2O
Al ⓘ Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Al ⓘ Eucryptite LiAlSiO4
Al ⓘ Microcline K(AlSi3O8)
Al ⓘ Montebrasite LiAl(PO4)(OH)
Al ⓘ Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Al ⓘ Petalite LiAl(Si4O10)
Al ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
Al ⓘ Simpsonite Al4Ta3O13(OH)
Al ⓘ Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
Al ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
Al ⓘ Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
Si Silicon
Si ⓘ Allophane (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O
Si ⓘ Bikitaite LiAlSi2O6 · H2O
Si ⓘ Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18)
Si ⓘ Eucryptite LiAlSiO4
Si ⓘ Hafnon HfSiO4
Si ⓘ Microcline K(AlSi3O8)
Si ⓘ Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Si ⓘ Petalite LiAl(Si4O10)
Si ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
Si ⓘ Quartz SiO2
Si ⓘ Spodumene LiAlSi2O6
Si ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
Si ⓘ Topaz Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
P Phosphorus
P ⓘ Amblygonite LiAl(PO4)F
P ⓘ Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F
P ⓘ Montebrasite LiAl(PO4)(OH)
P ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
S Sulfur
S ⓘ Arsenopyrite FeAsS
S ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
Cl Chlorine
Cl ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
K Potassium
K ⓘ Microcline K(AlSi3O8)
K ⓘ Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Ca Calcium
Ca ⓘ Calcite CaCO3
Ca ⓘ Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F
Ca ⓘ Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
Mn Manganese
Mn ⓘ Tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Mn ⓘ Tapiolite (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Fe Iron
Fe ⓘ Arsenopyrite FeAsS
Fe ⓘ Tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Fe ⓘ Tapiolite (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Cu Copper
Cu ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
As Arsenic
As ⓘ Arsenopyrite FeAsS
Y Yttrium
Y ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y) Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O
Nb Niobium
Nb ⓘ Tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Nb ⓘ Tapiolite (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Sb Antimony
Sb ⓘ Tetrahedrite Subgroup Cu6(Cu4C22+)Sb4S12S
Cs Caesium
Cs ⓘ Pollucite (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O
Hf Hafnium
Hf ⓘ Hafnon HfSiO4
Ta Tantalum
Ta ⓘ Microlite Group A2-mTa2X6-wZ-n
Ta ⓘ Simpsonite Al4Ta3O13(OH)
Ta ⓘ Tantalite (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6
Ta ⓘ Tapiolite (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6
U Uranium
U ⓘ Bijvoetite-(Y) Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O

Other Databases

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikita_mine
Wikidata ID: Q16254733

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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References