The aim of this website is to promote a group of elements – lanthanides - for which mineral exploration in Quebec has been minimal during recent years. Users who wish to download a simplified, printer-friendly black-and-white PDF version may click here.

SUMMARY

Introduction

1. ECONOMICS

2. GEOLOGY and EXPLORATION

2.1 PRIMARY DEPOSITS

2.2 SECONDARY DEPOSITS

3. QUEBEC'S POTENTIAL

REFERENCES

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Introduction

The lanthanides are a group of 15 chemically similar elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71 (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu). Along with yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc), they constitute the “rare earth elements” (REE). For the purposes of this website, the term REE (without yttrium and scandium) is used as an equivalent to lanthanides, unless otherwise noted. Lanthanides can be classified into two groups: the light rare earth elements (LREE; La to Eu) and the heavy rare earth elements (HREE; Gd to Lu).

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1. ECONOMICS

In 2001, China accounted for 88% of the world production of REE totaling an estimated 85,500 metric tons of contained rare earth oxides (REO). The United States produced about 6% (e.g., the Mountain Pass mine in California; web), whereas India accounted for 3% and the former Soviet Union about 2% (source). The world REE reserves amount to 110 Mt (USGS reserve base), of which China claims 42.5%, the former Soviet Union 18.6%, the United States 12.4%, Australia 5.1%, and Canada 0.9%. Deposits of the mineral bastnaesite represent the largest portion of reserves (China and U.S.A.), with monazite being the second most important mineral (Australia, Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, U.S.A.).

Lanthanides are sold as monazite or bastnaesite concentrates, or as mischmetal - a natural blend of rare earth elements (~53% Ce, 25% La, 16% Nd, 4% Pr and 2% others). The price for monazite concentrates remains depressed since many treatment plants only process thorium-free ores to avoid environmental problems (monazite is a thorium-bearing mineral). Monazite was not imported into the United States during the year 2000. The price of bastnaesite concentrates, on the other hand, has been rising steadily since 1996, from $2.87 US to $5.51 US per kilogram.

In 2000, the prices per kilogram for isolated and purified rare earth oxides ranged from $20.85 US for cerium (Ce, 99.5% pure), an element whose crustal abundance (60 ppm) surpasses that of copper, to $3,500 US for lutetium (Lu, 99.99% pure), whose crustal abundance is 0.5 ppm (source).

Lanthanide prices. Top, evolution of the price of concentrates (year-end $US per kilogram, on contained REO basis; source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries); bottom, price per kilogram ($US) for isolated and purified REO (purity between 96.00% and 99.99% depending on the oxide) for standard shipments of 1 to 900 kg (source: USGS Minerals Yearbook 2000). Prices for elements with odd atomic numbers are higher than those for elements with even numbers because the latter are more abundant (Oddo-Harkins effect).

Long term growth of REE consumption will be stimulated by new applications (examples) and the rising demand for some existing applications, such as permanent magnets (annual increase of 25% since 1990), catalytic converters in automobiles (anti-pollution systems) and rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (cellular phones, portable computers, personal data assistants and other portable electronic devices). On the other hand, some end-uses are declining, such as REE phosphors (lighting, televisions, computer monitors, radars, X-ray intensifying films) and petroleum refining catalysts.

United States REE consumption according to end-use for the year 2000 (source: USGS)

The world REE market will remain competitive because of the low manpower costs and less stringent environment regulations in developing countries. China is expected to remain the dominant world producer.

To learn more: 

· USGS statistical information (link)

· Lanthanide applications by element (link)

· Lanthanide applications by industry (link)

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2. GEologY-eXPLORATION

Historic and current light rare earth element (LREE) production mainly comes from the minerals monazite ([REE,Th,Y]PO₄) and bastnaesite (REE[CO₃]F). Monazite concentrates contain 55-60% REO, 3-10% thorium, and lesser amounts of yttrium and uranium. Bastnaesite concentrates contain more REO but no thorium or yttrium. Heavy rare earth element (HREE) production is mainly from the mineral xenotime ((Y,REE)PO₄), which is present in granitic rocks and placer deposits derived from their breakdown. Apatite ([Ca,REE]₅[(P,Si)O₄]₃[O,F]) associated with alkaline rocks may be REE-enriched, and it is sometimes possible to extract lanthanides during phosphoric acid production.

REE deposits are either primary (carbonatite deposits, vein-type deposits, polymetallic iron oxide deposits) or secondary (residual carbonatite deposits, monazite-bearing placers and paleoplacers).

2.1 PRIMARY DEPOSITS

Characteristics of two types of primary REE deposits

	Carbonatite	Polymetallic iron oxide (Olympic Dam type)*
GEOLOGY
Tectonic context	Generally intraplate regions, some along plate margins (orogens or rifts)	Late-orogenic to post-orogenic, within cratons or continental margins; extensional or transtensional regimes
Age	Four major periods: (a) 1800-1550 Ma (Hudsonian orogeny); (b) ~1100 Ma (Grenvillian orogeny); (c) 750-500 Ma (early Caledonian orogeny); (d) <200 Ma (Pangea breakup?)	Proterozoic (<1.9 Ga) to Holocene
Related intrusive rocks
Chemistry/ Mineralogy	Carbonatites: >50% carbonates (calcite, dolomite, ankerite, sodic/potassic carbonates), + sodic pyroxenes, amphiboles, phlogopite, apatite, olivine and rare/exotic minerals containing F, Nb, Ta, Th, REE, U, V or Zr; mantle origin; steeply-dipping REE spidergrams, with minor/no Eu anomaly; intermediate/late phases often enriched in pyrochlore (Nb); very late phases may bear REE	Alkaline intrusive complexes of generally intermediate composition; Rapakivi granites, diorites
Size	Small intrusive bodies (3-5 km in diameter) within larger alkaline complexes	Intrusions may not be obvious or may be absent
Host rocks
Lithology	Host rock for carbonatite-bearing alkaline complex: not important	Sedimentary rocks, volcanic and intrusive rocks (felsic to intermediate), metamorphic rocks; all metamorphic grades possible
Alteration	Fenitization aureoles around the alkaline complex: SiO2 loss, Fe^3+, Na and K gain; high concentrations of LREE, large lithophile elements and other incompatible elements	The largest deposits are accompanied by large hydrothermal systems characterized by magnetite, hematite, chlorite, epidote, carbonates and albite
Mineralization
Position and shape	Magmatic deposits: REE concentrated in the core of the carbonatite body; metasomatic deposits: veins, stockworks or replacement zones outside the carbonatite body (veins and dikes occupy radial and concentric structures)	Breccias/diatremes near surface; replacement zones in specific horizons; veins, pegmatites; iron skarns near the intrusion at depth (see figure)
Mineralogy	Pyrochlore, REE fluorocarbonates or phosphates (bastnaesite, parisite, monazite), apatite; gangue minerals include calcite, dolomite, strontianite, quartz, barite, hematite, magnetite, zircon, allanite, etc.	LREE in florencite, bastnaesite, monazite; HREE and yttrium as cation substitution in uraninite and coffinite; sulfides = chalcopyrite, pyrite, less commonly bornite and hypogene gold-bearing chalcosite; abundant iron oxides (hematite, magnetite); fluorite may be present
Examples
Canadian	- Saint-Honoré (Quebec): ~20 Mt of 0.65% Nb2O5; bastnaesite present in the carbonatite core (2% REO) but small grain-size prevents exploitation - Oka (Quebec), all zones: 113 Mt of 0,44% Nb2O5 and 24 Mt of 0.2-0.5% REO	- Sue-Diane (N.W.T): 8 Mt at 0.8% Cu and 100 ppm U (also Mar, Damp and Fab-Main in the “Great Bear Magmatic Zone”) - Kwyjibo area (Côte-Nord, Quebec) - Lac Brisson (Quebec): 9 Mt at 0.49% Y2O3 and 0.31% Nb2O5
Foreign	- Mountain Pass (California, U.S.A.): 91 Mt at 5% REO - Palabora (Afrique du Sud): 2.16 Mt REO (ore also contains exploitable contents of Cu, Nb, P, Fe, Zr, Ni, U, Au, Ag and platinum-group elements) - Bayan Obo (Inner Mongolia, China): 48 Mt REO (average grade 6%), 1.5 Gt iron (average grade 35%) and 1 Mt niobium (average grade 0.13%) - also Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia) and Brazil	- Olympic Dam (Australia): 2 Gt at 1.6% Cu, 0.06 kg/t U3O8, 3.3 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au; 5,000 ppm REE in hematite-rich rocks - Salobo (Brazil): 789 Mt at 0.96% Cu and 0.52 g/t Au (Ag, U, Co, As, Mo, F, and LREE anomalies) - Pea Ridge (Missouri, U.S.A.): xenotime and monazite in breccia pipes -Palabora and Bayan Obo? (see examples of carbonatite deposits)
EXPLORATION
Geology	1- Carbonatite intrusions are often located in the central part of rather small (<50 km^2) alkaline complexes 2- circular topographic features (e.g., lakes with circular shapes) 3- lineament intersections 4- fenite alteration of host rocks	1- Large volcano-intrusive complexes in extensional or intraplate contexts 2- Large volumes of low-Ti iron oxides 3- Large-scale potassic, sodic or sericitic alteration 4- Remote sensing: major structures
Geochemistry	1- Within a carbonatite intrusion, trace intrusive contacts and systematically analyze for Nb, REE, P, U and F 2- REE-enriched Intrusive phases have lower P, Ti, Zr and Nb relative to earlier phases 3- Pyrochlore and monazite are detectable in heavy mineral concentrates (soils, streams)	Anomalous concentrations of Cu, Au, U, Ag, Ce, La, Co, P, F, Ba, Sr and REE
Geophysics	1- Magnetite-bearing carbonatites appear on aeromagnetic maps as small circular to elliptical positive anomalies 2- Fenitized host rocks can create a negative anomaly due to magnetite destruction 3- Near-surface carbonatites have a positive radiometric signal (Th-bearing pyrochlore, monazite: St-Honoré and Mountain Pass were discovered this way)	1- Coincident magnetic and gravimetric anomalies, but sulfides not associated with magnetic high 2- Radiometric data (K, U and Th) ± I.P. and TEM (e.g., Ernest Henry deposit, Australia)

* Excluding Kiruna-type deposits, which are tabular magnetite-apatite-actinolite bodies mined exclusively for iron.

To learn more about primary REE deposits, consult the following supplementary sources of information:

· Schematic section and plan view of a carbonatite complex (link)

· Description of three carbonatite REE deposits (link)

· Notes about vein-type REE deposits (link)

· Schematic section of iron oxide deposit-type (link)

· Description of the Olympic Dam deposit (link)

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	2.2 SECONDARY DEPOSITS Characteristics of two types of secondary REE deposits
		Residual carbonatite deposits	Monazite-bearing placers
Canadian examples		- Martison Lake (Ontario): 57 Mt at 0.4% REO - Carguill County (Ontario); - Shortt Lake (Abitibi, Quebec)	?
Foreign examples		- Tomtor (Russia): hundreds of Mt grading 3.9% REO, 12% P2O5 and 0.74% Nb2O5 - Mount Weld (Australia): 15.4 Mt at 11.2% REO+Y2O3 - Araxá (Brazil): 495 kt at 10-11% REO (also 495 Mt at 2.5% Nb2O5)	Australia, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Korea, U.S.A. (Florida), South Africa; monazite (<0.1% in mineralized sand) is extracted as a by-product of Ti-Zr or Sn mining, except for Brazilian deposits
GEOLOGY
Age		See carbonatite ages (residual deposits are younger than primary deposits)	Mined placers: Holocene and end of Tertiary
Mineralogy		During surface alteration, calcite, dolomite and apatite are dissolved; REE are mobilized into supergene monazite during intense alteration; pyrochloreÞflorencite and pérovskiteÞanastase	REE hosted by monazite (++), xenotime (+) and anastase (-); other heavy minerals: ilmenite, zircon and rutile (economic), plus magnetite, staurolite and garnet (not exploited)
Genesis		Long exposure to wet tropical climates (e.g., Amazon Basin) resulting in alteration and erosion of outcropping carbonatites to create exploitable accumulations of P, Nb, Ti and REE; favorable conditions = absence of karstic system and basin-style topography	Monazite, xenotime and anastase are dense minerals that are resistant to physical degradation; they accumulate in beach and dune deposits (++) as well as fluvial (stream), lacustrine (lake) and deltaic sediments (-)
EXPLORATION
Geology		Topography: circular shapes indicate small alkaline complexes (<50 km^2) with steep borders; radial and concentric drainage patterns due to carbonatite-related fracture system	The majority of monazite-bearing placers are located along shorelines (beach deposits); REE minerals are derived from adjacent granitic or high-grade metamorphic rocks
Geochemistry		Once an alkaline complex with residual soils has been identified, soil/stream sediment geochemistry (REE, Nb, Ti, P) and heavy mineral concentrations in soils (anastase, pyrochlore, monazite) can be used to trace mineralized zones (note: does not work if background levels are high, for instance if several small carbonatite intrusions are present)	Analyze potential deposit for Ti, Zr and REE
Geophysics		Intense radiometric anomaly (10-20 times background) possibly coincident with (1) positive magnetic anomaly of circular shape and high gradient (except when magnetite is destroyed by late-stage hydrothermal alteration), or (2) gravimetric anomaly when residual soils are thick enough and of sufficiently different density	Seismic profiles and auger drilling can be used to measure thickness

To learn more:

· Ion adsorption clays (link)

· Ore processing (link)

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3. QuEbec’S PotentiAl

Quebec has good potential for carbonatite and Olympic Dam-type REE deposits. In a report by Y. Hébert (MB 94-17; Examine), Quebec’s alkaline intrusions (carbonatites, granites, syenites, diorites, peridotites) are concentrated into five regions: (1) the south-western Grenville Province, (2) the Saint-Lawrence, Ottawa-Bonnechère and Saguenay grabens, (3) the Ungava Bay area, (4) the Greenland-Labrador alkaline province, and (5) the Monteregian Hills. The report concludes that the most favorable area is that between Hull and the Baskatong Reservoir. This region is covered by a 1987 stream sediment survey (MB 88-35), and the map of REE values from heavy mineral concentrates shows major anomalies east of the Baskatong Reservoir (large anomalous zone, U- and Th-rich), in the Lac David area, south-east of Grand-Remous (no uranium, intrusion-related) and in the Nord-Calumet area proximal to known uranium showings (MB 90-29).

· To obtain a list of “Carbonatite-associated deposits” in SIGÉOM and to read their descriptions, click here, then click on “Metallic deposit (Mineralized body)” and enter “2400” under “Typology”. Note that some of these deposits may not include rare earth elements.

Mineral deposits and showings with affinities to the Olympic Dam deposit are known in the Kwyjibo area, north and east of Sept-Îles in the Côte-Nord region. A geochemical survey of lake sediments between Havre St-Pierre and Natashquan reveals several polymetallic anomalies (Cu-U-Th-REE) in the Wakeham Supergroup (MB 95-02). REE anomalies are reportedly associated with U-Mo-Au skarns related to alkaline intrusions in the Mont-Laurier area.

· To obtain a list of iron oxide deposits in SIGÉOM and to read their descriptions, click here, then click on “Metallic deposit (Mineralized body)” and enter “2200” under “Typology”. Note that some of these deposits may not include rare earth elements.

Monazite-bearing placers and paleoplacers may have formed in Quebec; some U-Th-REE pegmatites could also be of interest to prospectors.

Known REE deposits in Quebec (according to SIGÉOM and MB 94-17)

Number	Name	Type^1	Region	Description	Analyses^2
REE-bearing polymetallic iron-oxide deposits^3 (n=8)
1	Guido	S	Côte-Nord	Rock containing 95% magnetite with apatite, allanite and monazite (?); host = granite with sodic alteration	7,400 ppm Ce, 5,800 ppm La, 1,600 ppm Nd, 230 ppm Y
2	505796	S	Côte-Nord	Cu and REE in magnetite-bearing “iron formation”	1,880 ppm Ce, 1,030 ppm La, 164 ppm Sm, 4,700 ppm Cu, 74 ppm U
3	94-14	WD	Côte-Nord	Drilling of IP anomaly (SOQUEM); mineralization within a quartz-feldspar gneiss with fluorite, garnet, amphibole, magnetite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, and within a garnet-bearing quartzite with magnetite, pyrite and chalcopyrite	9,300 ppm Cu on 1 m; 1,730 ppm Ce, 1,070 ppm La, 95 ppm Sm over 0,8 m
4	543332	S	Côte-Nord	Quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite veins in plagioclase-biotite gneiss; hematized granite with traces of chalcopyrite-pyrite; quartz-feldspar gneiss with traces of magnetite chalcopyrite-pyrite	267 ppm La, 403 ppm Y, 3,900 ppm Cu
5	Fluorine	WD	Côte-Nord	Bands of “iron formation” and metasomatic rock with apatite-magnetite-fluorite-chalcopyrite-pyrite-allanite; the epidote is LREE-rich; up to 10% allanite and 60% apatite	9,000 ppm Ce, 5,000 ppm La, 4,400 ppm Nd, 4,100 ppm Y, 8,200 ppm Cu
6	Malachite	WD	Côte-Nord	Radioactive minerals (including allanite) and fluorite associated with chalcopyrite, in breccias with deformed and altered granitic fragments in a magnetite-bearing matrix	2,600 ppm Cu over 63 m; 200 ppm Ce, 100 ppm La, 105 ppm Y, 650 ppm Th
7	Andradite	WD	Côte-Nord	Centimetre- to metre-sized bands containing abundant magnetite, fluorite and sulfides (pyrite >> chalcopyrite) in a leucogranite	530-4,790 ppm Ce, 330-3,880 ppm La, 51-374 ppm Sm, 115 ppm Tb, 460 ppm Yb, 1,600 ppm Y, 1,900-45,800 ppm Cu, 98-310 ppm U (includes trenching)
8	Josette	WD	Côte-Nord	Magnetite-rich rock (50-95% mag.) with fluorite, apatite, biotite, titanite, allanite, sulfides (chalcopyrite-pyrite-pyrrhotite), garnet and quartz, hosted by a foliated leucogranite; REE in apatite, allanite, britholite	2,100-8,300 ppm Ce, 740-4,200 ppm La, 1,800-3,300 ppm Nd, 3,700-5,000 ppm Y, 18,300 ppm Cu, 90-654 ppm U, 510-900 ppm Th (includes trenching)
Monazite-bearing placers and paleoplacers (n=4)
9	Wares (Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce)	WD	Beauce	Up to 4% heavy minerals (titanite, zircon-thorite, monazite) in feldspathic sandstone at the base of the Pinnacle Formation; 20 cm thick radioactive horizon; also heavy mineral-bearing orthoquartzite	1,900 ppm Th; 1,260-1,540 ppm Ce, 761-862 ppm La, 459-568 ppm Nd, 933-6,064 ppm Zr
10	Lac Chukotat	S	New Quebec	Massive to disseminated pyrite forming large brecciated crystals, with fractures filled by chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite and marcasite (in sedimentary rocks)	2,300 ppm Ce, 1,700 ppm La, 800 ppm Nd, 3,400 ppm Zn, 1,100 ppm Cu
11	Natashquan-Nord	DT	Côte-Nord	Sand deposit manly formed of postglacial deltaic sediments with 6-7% heavy minerals (magnetite, ilmenite, hematite, zircon, rutile, garnet)	Reserves = 1.63 Mt (monazite is a lesser accessory mineral)
12	Natashquan-Sud	DT	Côte-Nord	Sand deposit manly formed of postglacial deltaic sediments with 6-7% heavy minerals (magnetite, ilmenite, hematite, zircon, rutile, garnet)	Reserves = 29.4 Mt (monazite is a lesser accessory mineral)
REE-bearing carbonatites^4 (n=17)
13	Complexe d’Oka: Manny zone	DT	Montreal	Pyrochlore, betafite, niocalite, perovskite, magnetite and akermanite in sodic pyroxene sövite	Reserves: 25 Mt of 0.35% Nb2O5, with “a certain amount” of Ta, REE, and radioactive elements
14	Complexe d’Oka: Manoka zone	DT	Montreal	Pyrochlore and perovskite disseminated in contact zone between crystalline limestone of the Grenville Province (host) and the Oka Complex carbonatite	Reserves: 200 kt of 0.60% Nb2O5, 0.25% ThO2 and 1.0% REO
15	St-André	WD	Montreal	Mass of brecciated carbonatite; strong radioactive anomaly	1.06% REE over 48 m (drill hole); 0.05-0.30% Nb
16	Mont St-Hilaire	MA	Montreal	Syenite and breccia in an alkaline intrusion; Nb- and REE-bearing minerals	<0.23% Nb2O5, 1.25% Th, >10% REO
17	Lac du Castor Blanc	S	Gatineau	Two carbonatite dikes, each a few decimetres thick	464 ppm La, 134 ppm Y, 11 ppm Yb
18	Mine Haycock	CM	Gatineau	0.5-1% monazite with apatite and phlogopite in a carbonatite lens; former iron mine	REE-poor apatite
19	Fénite du Lac McGregor	S	Gatineau	Idem	Idem
20	Quinville	S	Gatineau	Dolomitic carbonatite lens, 275 m across, with fluorapatite	186-192 ppm Y, 1,260-1,612 ppm La, 2,600-3,125 ppm Ce, 1,032-1,128 ppm Nd, 90-98 ppm Gd, etc.
21	Templeton	S	Gatineau	Calcitic carbonatite lens	58-93 ppm Y, 333-672 ppm La, 915-1 750 ppm Ce, 475-642 ppm Nd, 32-40 ppm Gd, etc.
22	Carbonatite de Cantley	S	Gatineau	Carbonatite vein with calcite-barite-parisite	155 ppm Y, 9,405 ppm La, 22,100 ppm Ce, 8,925 ppm Nd, 192 ppm Gd, etc.
23	Fénite de Cantley	S	Gatineau	Carbonatite lens with 0.5-1% monazite and REE-poor apatite
24	St-Honoré (Niobec)	MA	Saguenay-Lac St-Jean	The core of the carbonatite intrusion hosts a 1,700 m by 800 m (on surface) REE deposit; fine-grained bastnaesite cannot be extracted	2% REO average to a depth of 460 m; local grades up to 12.4% REO
25	Lac Brisson (alkaline granite)	DT	New-Quebec	Lac Brisson Granite, 28 km^2 area, part of Greenland-Labrador petrologic suite (includes middle to late Proterozoic peralkaline anorogenic intrusions, many of which are enriched in Y, Nb, REE); drilled by IOC; mineralization found in the most differentiated part of the granite	Reserves: 9 Mt of 0.49% Y2O3 and 0.31% Nb2O5; REE values
26	Erlandson No 1	S	New-Quebec	Extrusive carbonatite with dolomite-ankerite-biotite-fluorite, ± magnetite-pyrite-pyrochlore-columbium; breccia texture	250 ppm U, 1,366 ppm Th, 5.7% Nb, 1,567 ppm Ta, 412 ppm Ce, 175 ppm La
27	Erlandson No 2	S	New-Quebec	Magnetite, pyrite and possibly pyrochlore and/or columbite in extrusive carbonatite	70,000 ppm Nb, 1,838 ppm Ce, 2,129 ppm Th
28	Lac Savigny	S	New-Quebec	Diatreme breccia, 0.5 km^2, injected by carbonatite	Low concentrations of La and Nb
29	Lac de l'Hématite	S	New-Quebec	Best assays in carbonatites from this area	100 ppm Nb, 18 ppm Y, 165 ppm Ce
U-Th-REE pegmatites^5 (n=38)
30	Mine Derry	CM	Gatineau	Pegmatite mined for feldspar between 1920-1969, with allanite, uraninite, etc.
31	Mine Pednaud	CM	Gatineau	Pegmatite mined for feldspar between 1910-1964, with thorite, monazite, uraninite etc.
32	Mine Black	CM	Gatineau	Pegmatite mined for feldspar between 1924-1971, with thorite, allanite, uraninite etc.
33	Carrière du lac Battle	CM	Gatineau	Apatite and mica quarry with uraninite and monazite (calc-silicate rock)
34	Mine Lachaîne	CM	Gatineau	Zoned pegmatite mined for feldspar; also hosts uraninite and euxenite
35	Mine Lapointe-Portland	CM	Gatineau	Pegmatite mined for feldspar; also hosts allanite and euxenite
36	Mine Evans-Lou	CM	Gatineau	Pegmatite mined for feldspar and quartz; perthite zone enriched in U, Th, REE
37	Rapide Tête des Six	S	Laurentides	Radioactive pegmatite sill	1.06% U3O8, 1.6-3.3% Nb
38	Lac Malboeuf	S	Laurentides	Radioactive pegmatite in migmatites	1,070 ppm La, 1,860 ppm Ce, 203 ppm Y, 573 ppm Th
39	Acme Molybdénite	DT	Laurentides	Mo-bearing pegmatite in Mont-Laurier area; allanite is the source of high La, Ce and radiometric anomalies (20 000 cps)	650 ppm Ce, 3,500 ppm La, 4,830 ppm U and 24,000 ppm Mo
40	Lac des Trente et un Milles	S	Laurentides	Anomalous La and Ce zone, 1,000 m by 300 m, consisting of 20% migmatites and 80% radioactive pegmatites	7,550 ppm Ce, 2,440 ppm Th
41	Ragnar	S	Laurentides	U-Th pegmatite dike	Traces of REE
42	Lac A (Grand-Remous)	S	Laurentides	Pegmatite dike, 210 m x 15 m, with allanite and thorite	4% ThO2
43	Lac Canard	S	Mauricie	Pegmatite dike	<0.34% REE
44	Rivière Bouchard	S	Mauricie	Pegmatite dike, 2,4 m x 65 cm, with monazite	8% ThO2 and 59.3% REE?
45	Lac Ricard-SW	S	Mauricie	Hornblende gneiss with fluorite lens	6.3% Ce, 0.18% Th
46	Lac Baude	WD	Mauricie	Pegmatite dike with allanite crystals up to 15 cm across; allanite represents 2% of rock volume in a 21 m x 6 m zone	7-15% REE in allanite concentrates
47	Mine du Lac du Pied-des-Monts	CM	Charlevoix	Pegmatite with uraninite crystals (containing 0.79% REE)
48	Anomalie N13L1 (St-Siméon)	S	Charlevoix	Pink U-Th-REE pegmatite dike; corresponds to radioactive anomaly and U+REE anomaly in lake sediments	2% REE in a biotite-quartz-xenotime accumulation
49	Groupe Callières	S	Charlevoix	U-Th pegmatite dike	0.10-0.25% REE
50	Lac Couillard	S	Côte-Nord	Pink pegmatite dike, 100 m x 30 m, with monazite; U found in the vicinity	2,047 to >10,000 ppm Ce, 910 to >10,000 ppm La, 93-1,002 ppm Y
51	Baie Quetachou	DT	Côte-Nord	Pegmatite dike, 7 km x 1 km	93 Mt of low-grade U ore; a few samples show REE and Y anomalies
52	Projet K-8, Lac Turgeon (zone Est)	WD	Côte-Nord	Low-grade uranium prospect with traces of monazite
53	Zone 1 (Lac Turgeon)	S	Côte-Nord	Pegmatite dike	2,034 ppm Ce, 927 ppm La, 189 ppm Nb, 242 ppm Y
54	Camp 1 (Lac Turgeon)	S	Côte-Nord	Pegmatite dike	180-725 ppm Ce, 81-371 ppm La, 9-700 ppm Nb, 60-224 ppm Y
55	Est (Lac Turgeon)	S	Côte-Nord	Pegmatite dike	2,549-3,594 ppm Ce, 1,202-1,688 ppm La, 95-183 ppm Nb, 1367-1,650 ppm Y
56	Rivière Nabisibi	WD	Côte-Nord	Bastnaesite and low-grade U in red anatexic granite	2,436-3,207 ppm Ce, 1,047-1,353 ppm La, 89-256 ppm Y
57	Village Saint-Augustin	S	Côte-Nord	Cesium, lanthanum and yttrium in K-feldspar-biotite-magnetite pegmatite	10,000 ppm Ce, 10,000 ppm La, 800 ppm Y
58	Ile de la Grande Passe - ouest	S	Côte-Nord	Monazite in gneiss and granite
59	Anomalie J6-1 - centre (Lac Walker)	S	Côte-Nord	Nb-Ta-Zr-Y mineralized migmatite over 50 m	0.552% Nb2O5 over 11 m; selected sample returned 0.46% La
60	Anomalie J6-1 - ouest (Lac Walker)	S	Côte-Nord	Quartz-microcline-albite-zircon veins in quartz-feldspar gneiss	2.35% Nb2O5, 0.58% Y, 0.12-3.11% La
61	Anomalie J6-1 - est (Lac Walker)	S	Côte-Nord	Random REE and Th values in paragneiss
62	Baie Paul P (Bouro)	WD	James Bay	U-Th shear zones in pegmatite dikes	3,723-7,770 ppm U, 2,456 ppm Th
63	Baie Paul T	WD	James Bay	Idem	10,600 ppm U, 1,846 ppm Th
64	Route Fort-George (km 34)	S	James Bay	Radioactive pegmatites with titanite, magnetite and possibly allanite	1,100 ppm Ce, 2,800 ppm Th
65	Anomalie J2R1	S	James Bay	Thin radioactive horizons in pegmatite bodies a few metres to tens of metres across (associated with granitic gneiss and migmatite)	6,000 ppm Ce, 2,800 ppm La, 2,461 ppm Th
66	Lac Advance nord	S	New Quebec	Rusty zone with pyrite and graphite in paragneiss	190 ppm La, 194 ppm Ce, 105 ppm Nd, etc.
67	Lac Tudor	S	New Quebec	Paragneiss	827 ppm Ce, 562 ppm La, 320 ppm Nd, 380 ppm Th

¹ Type of deposit: CM = closed mine, DT = deposit with estimated tonnage, S = showing, WD = worked deposit

² Analyses of selected samples unless lengths are mentioned

³ Excluded from table: REE-lacking iron oxide showings from SIGÉOM

⁴ Excluded from table: REE-lacking carbonatites from MB 94-17

⁵ Excluded from table: REE-lacking U-Th pegmatites from MB 94-17

Simplified geologic map of Quebec (modified from DV 2001-07) showing the locations of known REE deposits (based on SIGÉOM and MB 94-17). Deposit numbers are those used in the previous table.

To learn more:

· Lanthanides in Quebec: current situation (link)

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REFERENCES

Iron oxide deposits (Kiruna-Olympic Dam)

Barton, M.D., and Johnson, D.A., 1996, Evaporitic-source model for igneous-related Fe oxide – (REE-Cu-Au-U) mineralization: Geology, v. 24, p. 259-262.

Drew, L.J., Meng, Q., and Sun, W, 1990, The Bayan Obo iron-rare earth-niobium deposits, Inner Mongolia, China: Lithos, v. 26, p. 43-65.

Gandhi, S.S., and Bell, R.T., Gîtes de fer, de cuivre, d’uranium, d’or et d’argent de type Kiruna/Olympic Dam, in Eckstrand, O.R. Sinclair, W.D., and Thorpe, R.I., eds., Géologie des types de gîtes minéraux du Canada: Geological Survey of Canada, Géologie du Canada n°8, p. 569-579. (see equivalent chapter in Geology of Canadian Mineral Deposit Types)

Lottermoser, B.G., 1995, Rare earth element mineralogy of the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag deposit, Roxby Downs, South Australia: Implications for ore genesis: Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Monatshefte, v. 8, p. 371-384.

Oreskes, N., and Einaudi, M.T., 1990, Origin of rare earth element-enriched hematite breccias at the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag deposit, Roxby Downs, South Australia: Economic Geology, v. 85, p. 1-28.

Other types of REE deposits

Harben, P.W. and Kužvart, M., 1996, Industrial minerals: A global geology: London, Industrial Minerals Information Ltd., 462 p.

Neary, C.R. and Highley, D.E., 1984, The economic importance of the rare earth elements, in Henderson, P. ed., Rare earth element geochemistry: Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 423-466.

Richardson, D.G., and Birkett, T.C., 1996a, Gîtes résiduels associés à des carbonatites, in Eckstrand, O.R. Sinclair, W.D., and Thorpe, R.I., eds., Géologie des types de gîtes minéraux du Canada: Geological Survey of Canada, Géologie du Canada n°8, p. 121-132. (see equivalent chapter in Geology of Canadian Mineral Deposit Types)

Richardson, D.G., and Birkett, T.C., 1996b, Gîtes associés à des carbonatites, in Eckstrand, O.R. Sinclair, W.D., and Thorpe, R.I., eds., Géologie des types de gîtes minéraux du Canada: Geological Survey of Canada, Géologie du Canada n°8, p. 601-619. (see equivalent chapter in Geology of Canadian Mineral Deposit Types)

Exploration in Quebec

Bellehumeur, C., and Jébrak, M., 1995, Géochimie des sédiments de lac de la Moyenne-Côte-Nord (sélection des composantes anomales): Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), MB 95-02, 80 p. (Examine)

Gaudreau, R., Houle, P., Doucet, P., Ste-Croix, L., Perreault,, S., Lachance, S., Bellemare, Y., Jacob, H.L., Buteau, P., and Marcoux, P., 2001, Rapport sur les activités d'exploration minière au Québec 2000: Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), DV 2001-01, 98 p. (web)

Gaudreau, R., Morin, R., Dussault, C., Doucet, P., Perreault, S., Lachance, S., Bellemare, Y., Jacob, H.L., Buteau, P., and Marcoux, P., 1999, Rapport sur les activités d'exploration minière au Québec 1998: Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), DV 99-01, 88 p. (web)

Gaudreau, R., Morin, R., Dussault, C., Doucet, P., Perreault, S., Lachance, S., Bellemare, Y., Jacob, H.L., Buteau, P., and Marcoux, P., 2000, Rapport sur les activités d'exploration minière au Québec 1999: Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), DV 2000-1, 98 p. (web)

Jébrak, M., Bellehumeur, C., and Normand, C., 1990, Dispersion de l’or et des terres rares dans les ruisseaux de la Gatineau: Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), MB 90-29, 98 p. (Examine)

Moorhead, J., Perreault, S., Berclaz, A., Sharma, K.N.M., Beaumier, M., and Cadieux, A.M., 2000, Kimberlites et diamants dans le Nord du Québec: Ministère des Ressources naturelles (Quebec), PRO 2000-05, 9 p. (pdf)

Perreault, S., Gaudreau, R., Houle, P., Doucet, P., Moorhead, J., Lachance, S., Bellemare, Y., Jacob, H.L., Buteau, P. and Choinière, J., 2002, Rapport sur les activités d'exploration minière au Québec 2001: Ministère des Ressources Naturelles (Quebec), DV 2002-1, 104 p. (web)

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Examples of new lanthanide applications

· As environmental regulations and treaties further limit greenhouse gas production, automobiles with electric or hybrid (conventional/electric) engines should become increasingly popular, especially as their autonomy range increases. These vehicles are powered by Ni-MH batteries, which include a mischmetal alloy.

· Cerium dioxide replaces titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in a new generation of more efficient sun-blocking lotions. The new formula is reported to reduce sunburns, skin aging and the risk of skin cancer.

· Research involving REE alloys and composites proposes potential applications such as military sonars, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) sensors and magnetic refrigeration.

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Schematic section and plan view of a carbonatite complex

Schematic section and plan view (mid-level) of a carbonatite complex, showing cylindrical shape of intrusion that evolves upwards into a diatreme breccia and layered tuffs. Late dikes (bold lines) display a radial or concentric pattern. The intrusion consists of three phases: sövite (calcite-rich carbonatite), iron-rich magnesian carbonatite, and ijolite (nepheline-pyroxene rock). The host rocks are fenitized (alkaline metasomatism) and desilicified.

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