Mineralization Characteristics of the Li‐rich Muscovite Granite in the Mufushan Batholith, Central China: Insights into the Rare Metal Mineralization Models of Batholithic Complex

Abstract Elucidating the mineralization mechanisms of individual granitic stages and tracing magmatic evolution processes are critical for establishing mineralization models of large‐scale batholiths. The Mufushan granitoid batholith, renowned for multistage magmatism and large‐scale rare metal mineralization, mainly comprises biotite, two‐mica, and muscovite monzogranite. Existing research has predominantly focused on biotite and two‐mica granite, whereas muscovite granite, as the most highly differentiated lithologic unit, remains understudied regarding its mineralization mechanisms and evolution characteristics. Focusing on two newly discovered Li‐rich granites, namely tourmaline muscovite granite (TMG) from Shiniuchong and garnet muscovite granite (GMG) from Huanglongxiang, this study clarifies their intrusion ages, Li occurrence states and enrichment mechanisms, while establishing the magmatic evolutionary pathway. The results show that the U‐Pb ages of columbite‐tantalum and zircon are 130.2 ± 1.0 Ma (TMG) and 138.2 ± 1.0 Ma (GMG), respectively, confirming Early Cretaceous Li‐rich magmatism. The Li concentrations in muscovite from the Li‐rich muscovite granites are high (mean 3328 ppm), compared to those in Mufushan ordinary muscovite granites (