Highlights

• Global REE exploration is shifting, with Australia, Africa, and Latin America leading investment in diverse deposit types.
• Major discoveries in multiple countries reveal new potential sources of rare earth elements outside traditional markets.
• Emerging exploration strategies consider complex mineralization processes and multi-metal deposit opportunities.

In a comprehensive study led by Yan Weidong from the Information Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources (opens in a new tab), Beijing, researchers last year examined the current landscape of rare earth element (REE) exploration, the evolving theories of mineralization, and key discoveries worldwide. As global demand for REEs—particularly magnet-related elements like praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium—continues to rise, exploration investment has surged, although it remains below 2012 peak levels. The study highlights that Australia, Africa, and Latin America currently lead global REE exploration, accounting for 42.9%, 23.2%, and 10.1% of the worldwide investment budget, respectively.

The research identifies four major deposit types shaping the industry: 1) alkaline intrusion-related, 2) carbonatite, 3) ionic adsorption, and 4) skarn-type rare earth deposits. Each has distinct characteristics, with ionic deposits yielding higher magnet-related REE content, while carbonatites tend to have lower concentrations reports the authors in China Mining Magazine (opens in a new tab).

What are some key Exploration Breakthroughs?

The Chinese earth scientists report key discoveries have occurred in Greenland, Malawi, Sweden, Brazil, Angola, and the United States, with notable deposits such as Tanbreez-Kvanefjeld (Greenland), Kangankunde (Malawi), Gyttorp (Sweden), and Caldeira (Brazil) serving as prime examples of these diverse deposit types.

One of the study’s most intriguing findings is the role of iron-rich volcanic eruptions in forming rare earth deposits. Scientists have found that such eruptions can enrich the surrounding rocks in rare earth elements, offering a new avenue for exploration. Additionally, the study suggests that cerium, a common REE, plays a crucial role in mineralization processes for other valuable metals, such as copper, gold, silver, and uranium, indicating that REE deposits could be part of broader mineralization systems.

Real-World Challenges

However, the economic and geopolitical landscape presents challenges. While deposits like Tanbreez and Kvanefjeld are spatially close within Greenland’s Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, their uranium content differs drastically, making Kvanefjeld one of the world’s largest uranium deposits and raising potential environmental and regulatory concerns. Moreover, the concept of “three rare” deposits—REEs co-occurring with other valuable metals—suggests a need for more integrated exploration strategies, though commercial viability remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

The study underscores the global shift in rare earth exploration, with new frontiers emerging outside of China’s dominance. While the potential for major new REE sources exists, technical, economic, and regulatory barriers remain significant. The challenge lies not just in discovering deposits but in ensuring they are economically viable, strategically located, and processable with existing technology. As demand for clean energy, defense, and advanced technology materials continues to surge, these findings provide a roadmap for future investment and policy decisions in rare earth supply chain development.