Abstract
Brazilian rare earth element (REE) deposits are associated with carbonatite–alkaline complexes, granitic intrusions, and marine placers. The Araxá project is an example of an REE deposit associated with alkaline carbonatite rocks; it has an estimated resource higher than 40million tons (Mt) of 3.0% REE2O3 as a byproduct of niobium tailings and is the most advanced REE project in Brazil. Other projects related to carbonatite–alkaline REE deposits, such as Catalão and Morro do Ferro, are currently under feasibility study. Similar to Araxá, REE extraction in these projects will be mainly from byproducts of niobium and/or phosphate tailings. Rare earth element projects such as the Pitinga and Serra Verde projects are also currently being developed in granitic rocks. Pitinga is under feasibility study. It has an estimated resource of 2Mt of 0.1% Y2O3 from xenotime as a byproduct of tin and tantalum–niobium mineralization, and the Serra Verde Project has an estimated resource of 178Mt of 0.16% REE2O3 related to adsorption of clay deposits. Brazil has high potential for light and heavy REE deposits, and the reserves will increase with the progress of new exploration projects.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
