Groundbreaking study reveals extinct volcanoes as potential source of rare earth elements

Miners may have a new tool in their hunt for rare earth elements (REEs) thanks to studies undertaken by Australian scientists.

New research from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed that a mysterious type of iron-rich magma entombed inside extinct volcanoes is likely abundant in REEs and could offer a new way to source them.

Dr Michael Anenburg from ANU said the iron-rich magma that solidified to form some extinct volcanoes is up to a hundred times more efficient at concentrating rare earth metals than the magmas that commonly erupt from active volcanoes.

Iron-rich eruption

“We have never seen iron-rich magma erupt from an active volcano but we know some extinct volcanoes, which are millions of years old, had this enigmatic type of eruption,” Dr Anenburg said.

“Our findings suggest that these iron-rich extinct volcanoes across the globe such as El Laco in Chile could be studied for the presence of rare earth elements.”

As part of their studies, the researchers simulated volcanic eruptions in the lab by sourcing rocks similar to those from iron-rich extinct volcanoes.

The rocks were placed into a pressurised furnace and heated to extremely high temperatures to melt them and learn more about the minerals inside.

This led to the discovery of the abundance of REEs contained in iron-rich volcanic rocks.

Fivefold increase

Dr Anenburg says that, with more countries investing heavily in renewable energy technologies, the demand for REEs is expected to increase fivefold by 2030.

“Rare earth elements aren’t that rare—they are similar in abundance to lead and copper,” he said.

“But breaking down and extracting these metals from the minerals they reside in is challenging and expensive.”

Australia is growing as a major international exploration target for REEs and, according to Dr Anenburg, has an opportunity to become a leading player in the clean energy space by capitalising on its abundance of rare earth resources.

RareX success

One of the leading players in Australia’s REE exploration and development sector is RareX (ASX: REE), who has identified a development pathway for its 100%-owned Cummins Range REE and phosphate project in Western Australia.

The company continues to expanding its options, including this year’s acquisition of the Khaleesi rare earth-niobium project in the East Yilgarn, which shows a considerable opportunity for base and precious metals.

The company has also recently identified a significant new heavy rare earths opportunity following a desktop study of historical data from its Mt Mansbridge tenement just down the road from the Cummins Range deposit.