Alpine eclogite-facies modification of Li-Cs-Ta pegmatite from the Wolfsberg lithium deposit, Austria

Abstract The Wolfsberg lithium deposit in Austria is one of the largest Li-Cs-Ta pegmatite resources Europe. part Austroalpine Unit Pegmatite Province Eastern Alps that formed during high-temperature, low-pressure Permian extensional event and was subsequently overprinted by Cretaceous eclogite-facies metamorphism Alpine orogeny. two types distinguished at deposit, amphibolite hosted-(AHP) mica schist hosted-(MHP) pegmatite, consist quartz, albite, K-feldspar, muscovite spodumene with accessory apatite, beryl columbite. Both have similar peraluminous granitic compositions element distribution patterns. However, AHP contains higher Li Cs concentrations. display LREE-enriched/HREE-depleted chondrite-normalized REY patterns suggest derivation from partial melting basement HT/LP event. more strongly affected MHP relative to AHP, resulting recrystallization primary assemblages metamorphic lower rare-metal concentrations, development a strong foliation, which (re)mobilized elements (e.g., Li, Cs) were concentrated along localized shear zones. Recognition remobilization associated overprinting may bear important implications towards mineral exploration for other metamorphosed terranes.