Mineralogy, petrology and isotope systematics of Proterozoic continental rift-related alkaline magmatism, Northwestern Ontario, Canada

Nb和稀土元素(REE)矿床是由高度分异的岩浆流体形成的，如伟晶岩、碳酸岩和一些过碱性火成岩。北美对碳酸盐岩和碱性络合物的勘探正在增加，这是因为稀土在稀土磁体和各种电子元件的技术应用中的需求，以及对钢铁合金对Nb的需求。每一个Nb和REE矿床都是独一无二的，通常呈现出各种Nb和REE矿物。目前的勘探方法往往以块状岩石分析为基础。由于碳酸盐岩及相关碱性岩石中含Nb和REE矿物的成分变化，这种方法是不够的。了解每个矿床的矿物学是很重要的。

Niobium and rare earth element (REE) deposits are formed from highly differentiated magmatic fluids, such as pegmatites, carbonatites, and some peralkaline igneous rocks. Exploration of carbonatite and alkaline complexes across North America is increasing due to the demand of REEs for technological applications in Nd-magnets and diverse electronic components, and Nb for steel alloys. Each Nb- and REE deposit is unique, commonly presenting a variety of Nb- and REE minerals. Current exploration methods are often based on bulk rock analysis. This method is inadequate due to the compositional variation of Nb- and REE-bearing minerals in carbonatites and related alkaline rocks. It is important to understand the mineralogy of each of the deposits.