FOCUS NGU FOCUS NO. 5 2023
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W W W E VISIT .N FOR M GU.NO O RE
REE-mineralisation from the Fen carbonatite complex. Photo Sven Dahlgren.
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RARE EARTH ELEMENTS NGU FOCUS 06.02.23 / WRITTEN BY NOLWENN COINT
While Norway has no active mine of REE, resources exist associated with a diversity of rock-types, including a carbonatite complex (Fen), alkaline and per-alkaline intrusions (Kodal, Sæteråsen- in the Oslo Rift; Misværdalen- in Caledonian nappe), pegmatites (Gloserhei – in Sveconorwegian basement), REE-enriched granites (Høgtuva, Tysfjord) and a hydrothermal-metasomatic deposit (Biggejavri). The largest REE deposit in Norway, the Fen complex in southern Norway is a 2.8 km-large intrusion dominated by three types of carbonatites and subordinate alkaline rocks. While both the rødberg (hematite-calcite rock) and the Fe-dolomite carbonatite are enriched in REE, only the latter is considered for exploitation. High Th content in the rødberg makes it less suitable for the industry at the moment. The Fe-dolomite carbonatite extends at least 1 km down, based on two long cores fnanced by the Norwegian government in 2017 (Coint and Dahlgren, 2019). Associated REE mineralization is dominated by Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE), Ce being the most abundant element. Bastnaesite, a REE fuorocarbonate (CeCO3F) and monazite, a LREE-rich phosphate (CePO4), are the two main REE-bearing minerals while synchysite (Ca(Ce)(CO3)2F) and parasite (CaCe2(CO3)3F2) are subordi-
nate. A resource estimate conducted on a small portion of the Fe-dolomite carbonatite, based on tightly spaced drill-cores, approximates 18.3 Mt with an average grade of 1.6 % TREO with a 1.2 % TREO cut of (https:// reemineral s.no/). The distribution of the REE mineralization and calculation of inferred resources is under investigation with a new drilling program planned throughout 2022 (https:// rareearthsnorway. com/). A second potential source of REE in the country is apatite of magmatic origin, where REE could be a byproduct from the extraction of phosphorus. Apatite
Map from http://www.eurare.org/countries/norway.html