Iron-rich volcanoes may hold vast rare earth reserves, study finds
The date of：
2024-10-10
viewed:
2
Volcanoes with iron-rich magmas may hold significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), according to a study published in Geochemical Perspectives Letters.As reported by Eos magazine, laboratory experiments have shown that volcanic pressures and temperatures cause iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits to form, splitting magmas into two immiscible melts, one of which is highly enriched in REEs — up to 200 times more concentrated than in the silicate-rich melts.Shengchao Yan, a doctoral student at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and lead researcher on the study, explained that when magmatic mixtures are subjected to volcanic conditions, they separate into two distinct components: an iron phosphate (FeP) melt and a silicate melt. This process results in REEs becoming concentrated in the IOA deposits.The global demand for REEs, which are essential for green energy technologies, has surged in recent years.Despite being relatively abundant, these elements are often difficult to mine due to their tendency to occur in small concentrations or in complex mixtures with other minerals. Unexpected discoveries of REE-enriched rocks have been made in iron mines in places like Sweden and Chile, located on extinct iron-rich volcanoes with large IOA deposits.Michael Anenburg, an experimental petrologist at Australian National University and coauthor of the study, noted that the presence of rare earth elements is often overlooked in such mines.“In many cases, we find REEs or other metals by accident,” he said. While these mines primarily extract iron oxide, further investigation may reveal untapped REE reserves.Currently, China dominates the global market for rare earths, accounting for 70% of mine output and 89% of refining.
Hot News
/
Related to recommend
2025
-
04
-
18
Click on the number of times:
0
Fracture characteristics of rare-earth phosphate and silicate environmental barrier coatings under molten CMAS corrosion source:Scientific ReportsThe fracture characteristics of rare-earth phosph...
2025
-
04
-
17
Click on the number of times:
0
Engineering Trap Distribution by Doping Rare Earth Ion for Mechanoluminescence Enhancement Mechanoluminescence materials exhibit fascinating optical properties due to their energy harvesting and ...
2025
-
04
-
16
Click on the number of times:
0
source:Tokyo University of ScienceQuasicrystals (QCs) are fascinating solid materials that exhibit an intriguing atomic arrangement. Unlike regular crystals, in which atomic arrangements have an order...
2025
-
04
-
16
Click on the number of times:
0
Rare-Earth Metal Modified Co-Based Catalysts for Highly Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural to 1,5-Pentanediol source:ACS PublicationThe ability to effectively control furan ring opening is the k...