Both Nb-Ta-Zr-bearing and Nb-Ta-Zr-barren syenitic dikes of the Luku and Baicao ore districts in the Panxi region (SW China) are spatially associated with basalts, gabbreic and felsic (granitic and syenitic) intrusions of the ~260Ma Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). The syenitic plutons, barren and mineralized dikes at Luku were dated to be 255.6 ± 2. OMa, 255. 6 ± 1.5Ma and 256. 7 ±4. 4Ma, respectively. The syenitic pluton and mineralized dikes at Baicao were dated to be 257. 9 ± 2. 3Ma and 257. 8 ± 1.3Ma, respectively. These age data indicated that the Nb-Ta-Zr mineralization hosted in the syenitic dikes are part of the ELIP. Mineralized dikes at Euku and Baicao have zircon εnf (t) values ranging mostly from + 2 to + 6 and -0. 2 ~ + 7.7, comparable to those of the spatially closely associated syenitic plutons ( + 1.0 ~ + 6. 6 in Luku and + 2. 1 ~ + 6. 2 in Baicao), implying that the mineralized dikes may have evolved from the syenitic magma. This is important for regional exploration of Nb-Ta-Zr deposits. We consider that the syenitic plutons and dikes may be the products of partial melting of underplated mafic cumulates.