Li-Cs-Rb Mineralisation in Proterozoic Zoned Pegmatites of Beku, West Bengal

The Li-Cs-Rb bearing Beku pegmatite occurs in a calc-silicate rock enclave within the Proterozoic Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC). Its internal structure shows zonation that comprises an outer tourmaline-rich pegmatite and inner rare metal-bearing pegmatite containing spodumene-pollucite-lepidolite. The pegmatite is strongly peraluminous with high SiO₂, low Fe₂O₃(t), CaO, TiO₂, P₂O, and variable Al₂O₃, K₂O and Na₂O. Its Cs/Rb and Li/Rb values increase towards the centre and decrease towards the boundary. K/Rb value increases from pollucite-bearing pegmatite to tourmaline-rich pegmatite, depicting the more evolved nature of the pollucite-bearing pegmatite. Petrography and geochemistry of the Beku pegmatite suggest fractionation from a peraluminous S-type granitic magma. It is synchronous with shear development in the area, under a minimum formational P-T of 4 kbar and 500°C.