ABSTRACT
Geochemical study was carried out in three tin-rare metal mineralized localities namely : Igla. Abu Dabbab and Muelha in the Eastern Desert of Egypt Forty-three samples were collected from the vicinity of these mineralized areas and analyzed for major, trace and rare earth elements. The results were treated with simple and sophisticated (factor and discriminant) statistical analytical methods. A graphical method was used for representing the mulli-element data to get a clear picture about their enrichment and depletion. Tin shows the greatest degree in Abu dabbab and Pb. Nb and Rb are enriched in Muelha. Copper. Cs. Cr. Zn. Pb and Hf show some enrichment in the Igla and Abu Dabhab data. REE analyses with the chondrite-normalized plots show the enrichment of HREE in these mineralized areas with a negative europium anomaly in the Muelha rock data. This may suggest the use of REE geochemistry as a useful criterion for Sn-rare metal prospecting. Factor analysis was helpful in revealing four basic associations which are interpreted as representing variation in 1. mineralization. 2. parent rock type. 3. metasomatic. and 4. weathering. and this confirms most relationships identified during basic single-element interpretation. Lastly. discriminant analysis was successfully used in distinguishing between these mineralized and other barren types.
