Where are new minerals hiding? the main features of rare mineral localization within alkaline massifs

Abstract

Alkaline and alkaline-ultrabasic massifs of the Kola Peninsula are unrestrained world's leaders in mineral diversity. More than 700 mineral species have been found here, and more than 200 of them - for the first time in the world. Discoveries of new minerals within alkaline massifs of the Kola Peninsula started in nineteenth century from W. Ramsay's expeditions in the Khibiny and Lovozero mountains (Ramsay 1890; Ramsay and Hackman 1893) when lamprophyllite and murmanite were described. In twentieth century, quantity of minerals firstly discovered here was increasing exponentially with time, and well-known monograph of A. Khomyakov "Mineralogy of hyperagpaitic alkaline rock" (1995) gave list of 109 new minerals from these massifs. Now list of minerals discovered in the Khibiny and Lovozero massifs includes 198 species and constantly grows on 5-10 minerals per year.