REE IN CARBONATITE EEPOSIT AND INCLUDE CASE STUDY ON AMBADUNGAR

its geology subject ree deposit

1. SUBMITTED TO: DR.P.M.SOLANKI HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT M.G.SCIENCE INSTITUTE GUJARAT UNIVERSITY AHMEDABAD PRESENTED BY: BHAGIRATH VADHER DATE OF SUBMISSION: 01-08-2025 COURSE TITLE: ECONOMIC AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY (GEL 503) REE IN CARBONATITE

2. INTRODUCTION TO REE Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar elements, including the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. They are critical for high-tech devices, magnets, batteries, and green energy. REEs rarely occur in economically mineable concentrations—carbonatites are one of the few exceptions. https://sciencenotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RareEarthElements.png

3. WHAT ARE CARBONATITES? Carbonatites are rare igneous rocks composed of more than 50% carbonate minerals. They are mantle-derived and typically associated with rift zones or alkaline complexes. Known to be enriched in REEs, Nb, P, and other strategic elements Calciocarbonatite (Amba Dongar Carbonatite Complex, Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary time, 65 Ma; near Amba Dongar , Gujarat State, India) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

4. GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF CARBONATITES Carbonatites form through the differentiation of mantle-derived alkaline magmas. The melt becomes enriched in volatiles like CO₂, leading to the segregation of carbonate-rich magmas. These magmas ascend and crystallize in intrusive or volcanic settings, often forming ring complexes. Hydrothermal alteration and late-stage magmatic fluids play a significant role in concentrating REEs within carbonatite bodies.

5. Carbonatites are among the most important sources of REEs, especially the light rare earth elements (LREEs) like La, Ce, Nd, and Pr. The enrichment process occurs due to the incompatibility of REEs in early-crystallizing minerals, causing them to remain in the residual melt. Subsequent crystallization of REE-bearing minerals like bastnäsite and monazite leads to economic concentrations. Hydrothermal fluids also remobilize and redeposit REEs into more concentrated zones. REE ENRICHMENT IN CARBONATITES

6. REE ENRICHMENT IN CARBONATITES https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377265678/figure/fig7/AS%3A11431281220667310%401706540554687/Whole-rock-rare-earth-elements-REE-spider-diagram-plot-for-alkaline-rocks-from-Bobcat.png The spider diagram illustrates the chondrite-normalized REE pattern for carbonatite whole-rock samples. It shows strong enrichment in light REEs (LREE) such as La, Ce, Nd, compared to heavy REEs (HREE). This LREE dominance is typical of carbonatites due to their melt chemistry and partitioning behavior

7. IMPORTANT REE-BEARING MINERALS Bastnäsite (Ce) – main LREE ore, fluorocarbonate Monazite (Ce, La) – phosphate mineral, radioactive due to thorium Synchysite – fluorocarbonate of REEs. https://www.wikipedia.org/ These minerals commonly occur in veins, disseminations, and as replacements. REEs preferentially incorporate into these phases during late-stage magmatic or hydrothermal processes.

8. MAJOR GLOBAL CARBONATITE REE DEPOSITS Significant REE-bearing carbonatite deposits include: Mount Weld, Australia Mountain Pass, USA Bayon Obo, China Araxá and Catalão , Brazil Ambadungar , India These deposits differ in age, mineralogy, and REE content but all demonstrate the economic potential of carbonatites as REE sources.

9. Global distribution of carbonatite-related REE deposits and enrichment coefficient of REE and other metals.

10. INDIAN CARBONATITE COMPLEXES Amba Dongar (Gujarat) – REE-rich sovite carbonatite. Sung Valley (Meghalaya) – alkaline-carbonatite complex. Newer discoveries in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Significant potential for REE exploration in India.

11. ECONOMIC & STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE REEs are essential for: Wind turbines EV batteries Smartphones & electronics Defense and aerospace Carbonatite-hosted REEs reduce import dependence. India can become a future REE powerhouse with proper policy support.

12. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjcdream.org%2Frare-earths-applications%2F&psig=AOvVaw1Nvx9Yp1YzCO43nje3u7rs&ust=1753968806682000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBgQjhxqFwoTCICtmaDZ5I4DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAt

13. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjcdream.org%2Frare-earths-applications%2F&psig=AOvVaw1Nvx9Yp1YzCO43nje3u7rs&ust=1753968806682000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjRxqFwoTCICtmaDZ5I4DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAt

14. https://techmetalsobservatory.org/images/technology-metals-components-and-products/technology-metals/rare-earth-elements/ree-demand-in-2020-by-end-use-sector.webp

15. CASE STUDY ON AMBADUNGAR GUJARAT Geology of Ambadungar The Ambadungar complex lies within the Deccan Igneous Province and comprises alkaline igneous rocks such as ijolites , nepheline syenites, and carbonatites. The carbonatites intrude into Precambrian basement rocks and are found as dikes, sills, and plugs. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Debajyoti-Paul/publication/317011581/figure/fig1/AS:655812192120834@1533369219341/Geological-map-of-the-Amba-Dongar-carbonatite-complex-modified-after-Viladkar-1981.png

16. REE Mineralization Minerals such as bastnäsite, monazite, and synchysite are the main REE carriers in Ambadungar . Light REEs (LREEs) such as La, Ce, Pr , and Nd are dominant. These minerals are associated with calcite, barite, fluorite, and magnetite. The mineralization occurs in veins and breccias, typically associated with carbonate-rich lithologies. CASE STUDY ON AMBADUNGAR GUJARAT

17. Mining and Processing IREL and GMDC has conducted mining activities in Ambadungar , focusing on selective extraction. The ore is beneficiated using flotation and magnetic separation to concentrate the REE minerals. Research is ongoing to improve processing efficiency and environmental safety. Economic Importance Ambadungar’s REE potential aligns with India’s goals for indigenous sourcing of strategic materials. It can reduce dependence on imports, support high-tech industries, and promote employment in Gujarat. CASE STUDY ON AMBADUNGAR GUJARAT

18. Challenges and Opportunities Challenges include complex REE mineralogy, low-grade ores, and environmental concerns. However, opportunities exist for developing processing technologies, establishing value-added REE industries, and strategic exports. Conclusion Ambadungar is a geologically significant and economically promising REE deposit. Sustainable development, technological research, and proper policy support can make it a cornerstone of India’s critical mineral strategy. CASE STUDY ON AMBADUNGAR GUJARAT

19. CONCLUSION Carbonatites are exceptionally enriched in rare earth elements (REE), especially light REEs (LREEs) such as La, Ce, and Nd. Their unique mantle-derived origin, low silica content, and alkaline chemistry make them ideal hosts for REE mineralization. Carbonatite-hosted REE deposits, like those at Mountain Pass (USA), Bayan Obo (China), and Amba Dongar (India), are of significant economic and strategic importance. Understanding REE distribution, fractionation patterns, and mineralogy in carbonatites is critical for resource exploration and sustainable extraction. As global demand for REEs grows (in electronics, green energy, defense), carbonatites will continue to play a key role in future supply chains

20. RARE EARTH DEPOSITS OF INDIA: AN OVERVIEW. JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE .SUKUMARAN, K., & KRISHNA, K. R. WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM WWW.RESEARCHGATE.NET REFERENCE

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