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Rare Earth Element Deposits of Alkaline Igneous Rocks

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  • Jaroslav Dostal

    (Department of Geology, Saint Mary’s University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada)

Abstract

Alkaline igneous complexes host deposits of rare earth elements (REE), which represent one of the most economically important resources of heavy REE and Yttrium (Y). The hosts are differentiated rocks ranging from nepheline syenites and trachytes to peralkaline granites. These complexes usually occur in continental within-plate tectonic settings associated with rifts, faults, or hotspot magmatism. The REE mineralization is found in layered alkaline complexes, granitic stocks, and late-stages dikes and rarely trachytic volcanic and volcaniclastic deposits. The bulk of REE is present in accessory minerals, which can reach percentage levels in mineralized zones. The mineralization contains various REE-bearing minerals that can display complex replacement textures. Main REE minerals present in these deposits are bastnäsite, eudialyte, loparite, gittinsite, xenotime, monazite, zircon, and fergusonite. The parent magmas of alkaline igneous complexes are derived from partial melts of mantle sources. Protracted fractional crystallization of the magma led to an enrichment in REE, particularly in the late stages of magma evolution. The primary magmatic mineralization is commonly overprinted (remobilized and enriched) by late magmatic to hydrothermal fluids. Elevated abundances of U and Th in the deposits make a gamma-ray (radiometric) survey an important exploration tool, but also represent a significant environmental challenge for exploitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaroslav Dostal, 2017. "Rare Earth Element Deposits of Alkaline Igneous Rocks," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-12, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:6:y:2017:i:3:p:34-:d:105858
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ainun Mardiyah & Muhammad Rio Syahputra & Motohiro Tsuboi, 2023. "Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Pteridophytes from the Historical Mining Area, Southwestern Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Simon M. Jowitt, 2018. "Introduction to a Resources Special Issue on Criticality of the Rare Earth Elements: Current and Future Sources and Recycling," Resources, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-4, May.
    3. John Ormerod & Anirudha Karati & Ajay Pal Singh Baghel & Denis Prodius & Ikenna C. Nlebedim, 2023. "Sourcing, Refining and Recycling of Rare-Earth Magnets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-40, October.

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