The Ore Minerals and Major Ore Deposits of the Rare Earths

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the major and minor ore minerals of the rare earths, and of the related major ore deposits. As most of the rare earths are mined in China, the impression may arise that ore deposits of these metals occur in few other places on Earth. However, nothing is less true. The extensive overview of the ore deposits of the rare earths in this chapter is especially meant to indicate that deposits occur in quite a variety of countries, and that the apparent dominance of China is economically (and politically) powered. 2.1