The year 2005

In order to pave the way for breakthroughs in the understanding of the A-type granites, the general goals of the project were refined through discussions in the meetings arranged in 2005, in particular as regards the typology, metallogeny, lithologic variation, and petrogenesis of A-type suites. Instrumental is this regard will be a global-scale data base of A-type granites. Scientists from such countries as Asia, China, Russia, Latin America, and Africa where a substantial number of A-type granite occurrences are known to exist, as well as young researchers with appropriate research agendas were actively recruited.

The year 2006

The project is well underway pursuing its refined goals. An actively contributing international consortium of A-type granite researchers has been established, support from mining companies to the project has been enhanced, and a first scientific breakthrough regarding the petrogenesis of A-type associations has been realized:

(1) A new model for the petrogenesis of A-type granites and related rocks was presented by R. Martin (IGCP-510 publication #14). It was discussed at the August 2006 Belém workshop and will comprise a keynote at the upcoming Hutton Symposium on the origin of granites and related rocks in South Africa in July 2007.

(2) Exploration and mining companies (Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Mineração Taboca, Falconbridge) were recruited to promote the project. This collaboration was essential for realization of the August 2006 Pitinga and Carajás field trips.

(3) Scientists from the less developed countries in Asia, China, Russia, Latin America, and Africa have been recruited to the project and they have actively contributed to the IGCP-510 proceedings volumes realized/in preparation.

(4) Young researchers (at the doctoral and post-doctoral level) have been involved in the project and we will actively recruit further individuals in the future.

The year 2007

In its third year now, the project is well underway pursuing its refined goals (petrogenesis and metallogenic significance of A-type granites, significance in granite typology and lithospheric evolution), with the following main achievements:

(1) The new model for the petrogenesis of A-type granites and related rocks (presented by R. Martin) was introduced to the Hutton Symposium membership and a new classification scheme for alkaline and A-type rock associations was presented (by C.D. Frost and B.R. Frost). The great variety of metallogenic traits (polymetallic Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-U-F concentrations in quartz-hematite veins, late magmatic Sn-W-REE mineralizations, a world-class fluorite deposit) of the Paleoproterozoic A-type granites of the Bushveld complex was examined.

(2) Involvement of exploration and mining companies to promote the project has been continued. This collaboration was essential for realization of the Bushveld granite field trip in July and the visit to the Mountain Pass carbonatite mine in November.

(3) Scientists from the less developed countries in Asia, China, Russia, Latin America, and Africa have been recruited to the project and they have actively participated in the activities of IGCP-510 and contributed to the proceedings volumes realized/in preparation thus far.