Tectonic significance of Australian rare earth element deposits

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. This paper presents a review of the geology and tectonic setting of Australia's hard-rock REE resources. The deposits can be classified into four groups: 1. Carbonatite associated; 2. Peralkaline/alkaline volcanic associated; 3. Unconformity related, and; 4. Skarns and iron-oxide‑copper‑gold...