Unconformity-related rare earth element deposits: A new source of critical metals for Australia
Channel: GeoscienceAustralia
Date: 2020-12-07

Australia is host to a diverse range of rare earth element (REE) ore deposits, and therefore is well placed to be a major supplier of REE into the future. Most REE ore deposits formed during the Mesoproterozoic (also known as Earth’s middle ages) are related to unusual alkaline igneous rocks. However, recently-discovered heavy REE deposits in the Browns Range Dome of northern Western Australia are distinct in that their formation is not associated with any igneous or tectonic activity. In this talk, I will outline the geology of these unusual ore deposits and present a working model for their formation. Recognition of this new mineralization style and understanding of their geological genesis provides an avenue for discovery of further REE resources in ancient sedimentary basin systems of central Australia.