Rare Earth Elements in Europe and Greenland: A geological potential? An overview

• Main Authors: Charles, Nicolas, Tuduri, Johann, Guyonnet, Dominique, Melleton, Jérémie, Pourret, Olivier
• Other Authors: Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) (BRGM), Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2013
• Subjects: [SDU.STU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences; Greenland
• Online Access: https://brgm.hal.science/hal-03747599; https://brgm.hal.science/hal-03747599/document; https://brgm.hal.science/hal-03747599/file/10_3140-2_1_3450_7206.pdf

International audience Recently, rare earth elements (REE) have occupied a centre-stage owing to the large volatility of prices and stress occasioned on global markets by limitations of Chinese export quotas. Thus, numerous industries which depend on secured and diversified rare earths sources, now consider REE as critical for new technologies. In response, countries are developing and diversifying their supply sources, with new mining projects located outside China and efforts in the REE recycling domain. Based on a global geological and metallogenic synthesis, a first review map representing more than 270 REE occurrences and deposits classified by typology in Europe and Greenland is proposed. At first glance, the Baltic Shield and South Greenland constitute the main areas with a strong potential. Indeed, northern Europe is characterised by numerous occurrences linked to alkaline intrusions, carbonatites and pegmatites. In southern Greenland, the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex contains the future world-class Kvanefjeld U-REE-Zn deposit. While REE are relatively ubiquitous in Europe and Greenland and occur in a variety of geological settings, only the two previously mentioned regions appear to have economic potential. However, progress in the understanding of the REE ore forming processes is required to help better guide exploration and make new discoveries. While recycling technologies should be developed, reliance on extracted sources will continue to be indispensable, especially considering annual growth rates for REE demand, which are around 5%