Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Late Permian coals in the Huayingshan coal-bearing area, Sichuan Province, China

The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Late Permian Huayingshan coals, partings, roof and floor strata, as well as lutitic rocks from the Longtan Formation, in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, were investigated in this study. The Huayingshan low volatile bituminous coals are characterized by relatively high mineral contents (mainly kaolinite, quartz, pyrite, and calcite). The concentrations of most trace elements are relatively high compared with other Chinese and world coals. The coals and associated strata show similar element affinities: Al, Ti, Li, Ta, Th, Ga, U, Sn, Sc, Cr, Cu, Rb, Co, and Se probably have an aluminosilicate affinity; Zr, Nb, Hf, Y, REEs, and U probably result from the occurrence of heavy minerals such as zircon; S, Fe, W, and Rb mainly have a sulfide affinity; Ca, Sr, and Mn mainly have an carbonate affinity. The high enrichment in the Huayingshan coal of Zr, Nb, Hf, REEs, Ta, Ga, and Th is caused by a geochemical anomaly in the source of this coal's detrital material (and probably also by input of volcanic ash), which is influenced by the alkaline volcanic magmas of the Emeishan basalt. The Zr/Hf, Zr/Nb, Zr/La and Zr/Th ratios support the volcanic origin of such a geochemical anomaly.

► A coal deposit in Sichuan Province, China is enriched in Zr, Nb, Hf, Y, Ta, REEs, W.
► This high enrichment in Huayingshan coal is attributed to volcanic origin.
► The erosion of pre-existing basalts and/or volcanic ash deposition may be the origin.