Potential of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in Gua Musang Granites, Gua Musang, Kelantan

Abstract

Granitoid and some extrusive volcanic rocks are widely exposed in Kelantan. In Gua Musang area, the granites are characterized by slightly feldspar. One of the groups of elements found to be in association with granitic rocks is rare earth elements (REEs). The objective of the study is to investigate the distribution of REEs in different types of granitoid rocks in Gua Musang, Kelantan. For this purpose, 10 selected samples of granites were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Light REE are predominant, consisting up to 448.00 ppm. Distribution of light REE in the majority of samples (e.g as shown in sample #001, #003,#008, #009 and #010) are up to 90%. Interestingly, one of the samples show a considerably high REE value than previously reported in literatures (i.e sample #002 with a value of 574.3858 ppm) suggesting a good potential for REE. As granitoid rocks are widely exposed in Malaysia, result of this study would give a basic knowledge to develop a more detail study especially in Rare Earth Elements (REE) potential in different types of granitoid rocks in Malaysia.