Titaniferous magnetite in the layered intrusive complex at Lakathah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Open-File Report 79-1210
By: , and 

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Abstract

The Lakathah layered intrusive complex about 90 km east of Qunfudhah contains significant resources of low-grade titanium-bearing rock. The complex is about 10 km in diameter and consists of three principal units: an outer syenite ring, an intermediate diorite-gabbro zone, and a central pyroxenite-hornblendite core. The principal mineralization zone is in the ultramafic core of the complex. The titanium is mainly in titaniferous magnetite, but some is in ilmenite intergrown with magnetite and in the titanium-bearing hornblende, kaersutite. The titaniferous magnetite is in concordant lenses and veinlets and is disseminated throughout the host rock. The lenses and veins range from a few centimeters to 3 m in width and are as much as 50 m long. The layered disseminated bodies contain as much as 25 percent magnetite. Exploratory drilling showed that an area 500 by 1000 m contains titaniferous rock averaging about 6.2 percent TiO2. This mineralized zone contains about 175,000,000 tons per 100 m depth. Material of this grade is not commercial at this time, but may be a future resource. Alluvial deposits along the Red Sea near Al Qunfudhah should be tested for possible deposits of titaniferous sand.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Titaniferous magnetite in the layered intrusive complex at Lakathah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 79-1210
DOI 10.3133/ofr791210
Edition -
Year Published 1979
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description ii, 39 p., 1 over-size sheet :ill.;28 cm.
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