A new type of rare earth elements deposit in weathering crust of Permian basalt in western Guizhou, NW China

Abstract

A new type of rare earth elements (REEs) deposit was discovered from the gaolinite mudstone in the weathering crust of Permian basalt, Bijie region, western Guizhou, China. It contained ΣRE 2O 3 0.065%–1.086%. This type of REEs deposit was widely distributed with steady horizon and thickness of 3–4 m. The ore-bearing weathering crust (kaolinite) of the three discovered REEs deposits belonged to the third episode of the Emeishan basalt eruption. The new type of REEs deposit was suggested that basalt (tuff) weathering could lead to the enrichment of the rare earth elements. Therefore, it is of important economic significance to explore REEs deposits in the weathering crust of basalt (tuffs) in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces.