Weathering crust-leaching type REE deposit in the Zudong muscovite granite.
Zudong HREE deposit comprises more than 17,622 t of REE oxide. Late Jurassic granitic rocks distributed in the Zudong area intruded into Triassic volcanic rocks and crop out in an area of 4 by 9 km along NNE-SSW trending faults. The rocks include medium- to coarse-grained biotite granite and fine- to coarse-grained muscovite granite.

The Zudong deposit is the largest one of its kind in the world and contains 131,000 tonnes (t) of rare earth oxides (REOs) at an average grade of 0.048 wt % Y2O3. The Y content is estimated to represent ~30 to 60% of the total REE budget. Weathering profiles ranging from a few meters to ~30 m in thickness developed on granites. The REE compositions increase from ~300 ppm in the humic soil horizon to ~1,500 ppm in the completely weathered zone and incompletely weathered bedrock. These elements were mainly adsorbed by kaolinite and halloysite.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Rare Earths

Mineral List

18 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ 'Biotite granite'

ⓘ Granite

ⓘ 'Muscovite granite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Aeschynite-(Y)

Formula: Y(TiNb)O₆

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

Zhao, Feng, Yang, Fucheng, Xue, Shengchao, Wu, Han, Li, Wenchang, Li, Chao, Yan, Qinggao, Sun, Zaibo, Tang, Jieyu, Jiang, Lili (2024) Magmatic evolution and metallogenic diversity of the late Cretaceous granites in the Yidun terrane: Constraints from zircon and apatite geochemistry. Ore Geology Reviews, 169. 106084 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106084

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Chengyu Wu, Zhongxin Yuan, Dianhao Huang, and Ge Bai (1995), In: Pasava, J., Kribek, B., and Zak, K. (Eds.): Mineral Deposits: from Their Origin to Their Environmental Impacts. A.A. Balkema (Rotterdam), 547-550

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

Shi, Aiguo, Xu, Cheng, Fan, Chaoxi, Chakhmouradian, Anton R., Brenna, Marco, Wei, Chunwan (2024) Structural Defects of Heavy Rare Earth Element Minerals in Granite Accelerate Their Decomposition and Facilitate Mineralization During Weathering. Economic Geology, 119 (4) 871-883 doi:10.5382/econgeo.5057

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

ⓘ Chernovite-(Y)

Formula: Y(AsO₄)

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

References:

ⓘ 'Fergusonite'

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ Fergusonite-(Y)

Formula: YNbO₄

References:

ⓘ Fluorite

Formula: CaF₂

References:

ⓘ 'Gadolinite'

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)

Formula: Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀

References:

ⓘ Halloysite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Kaolinite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

ⓘ 'Monazite Group'

Formula: REE(PO₄)

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

ⓘ 'Pyrochlore Group'

Formula: A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ 'Synchysite'

Formula: Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F

References:

ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)

Formula: CaCe(CO₃)₂F

References:

ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)

Formula: CaY(CO₃)₂F

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ Thorite

Formula: Th(SiO₄)

References:

ⓘ Topaz

Formula: Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Xenotime'

References:

ⓘ Xenotime-(Y)

Formula: Y(PO₄)

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

ⓘ Xenotime-(Yb)

Formula: Yb(PO₄)

References:

ⓘ Zircon

Formula: Zr(SiO₄)

References:

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): Geological Review 59(1), 82-86

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 3 - Halides
ⓘ	Fluorite	3.AB.25	CaF₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	'Pyrochlore Group'	4.00.	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Aeschynite-(Y)	4.DF.05	Y(TiNb)O₆
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Synchysite-(Ce)	5.BD.20c	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
ⓘ	Synchysite-(Y)	5.BD.20c	CaY(CO₃)₂F
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Fergusonite-(Y)	7.GA.05	YNbO₄
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Chernovite-(Y)	8.AD.35	Y(AsO₄)
ⓘ	Xenotime-(Y)	8.AD.35	Y(PO₄)
ⓘ	Xenotime-(Yb)	8.AD.35	Yb(PO₄)
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Thorite	9.AD.30	Th(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Zircon	9.AD.30	Zr(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Topaz	9.AF.35	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
ⓘ	Gadolinite-(Y)	9.AJ.20	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Kaolinite	9.ED.05	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Halloysite	9.ED.10	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Monazite Group'	-	REE(PO₄)
ⓘ	'Xenotime'	-
ⓘ	'Synchysite'	-	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-
ⓘ	'Gadolinite'	-
ⓘ	'Fergusonite'	-
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Halloysite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
H	ⓘ Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Be	Beryllium
Be	ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
C	ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)	CaY(CO₃)₂F
C	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Aeschynite-(Y)	Y(TiNb)O₆
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Chernovite-(Y)	Y(AsO₄)
O	ⓘ Fergusonite-(Y)	YNbO₄
O	ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
O	ⓘ Halloysite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Monazite Group	REE(PO₄)
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
O	ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)	CaY(CO₃)₂F
O	ⓘ Thorite	Th(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
O	ⓘ Xenotime-(Y)	Y(PO₄)
O	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Xenotime-(Yb)	Yb(PO₄)
O	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
F	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
F	ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
F	ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)	CaY(CO₃)₂F
F	ⓘ Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
F	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Halloysite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Al	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
Si	ⓘ Halloysite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Thorite	Th(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Monazite Group	REE(PO₄)
P	ⓘ Xenotime-(Y)	Y(PO₄)
P	ⓘ Xenotime-(Yb)	Yb(PO₄)
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Ca	ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
Ca	ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)	CaY(CO₃)₂F
Ca	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Aeschynite-(Y)	Y(TiNb)O₆
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Chernovite-(Y)	Y(AsO₄)
Y	Yttrium
Y	ⓘ Aeschynite-(Y)	Y(TiNb)O₆
Y	ⓘ Chernovite-(Y)	Y(AsO₄)
Y	ⓘ Fergusonite-(Y)	YNbO₄
Y	ⓘ Gadolinite-(Y)	Y₂Fe²⁺Be₂Si₂O₁₀
Y	ⓘ Synchysite-(Y)	CaY(CO₃)₂F
Y	ⓘ Xenotime-(Y)	Y(PO₄)
Y	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
Zr	Zirconium
Zr	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Nb	Niobium
Nb	ⓘ Aeschynite-(Y)	Y(TiNb)O₆
Nb	ⓘ Fergusonite-(Y)	YNbO₄
Nb	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
Ce	Cerium
Ce	ⓘ Synchysite-(Ce)	CaCe(CO₃)₂F
Ce	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
Nd	Neodymium
Nd	ⓘ Synchysite	Ca(Ce/Nd/Y/REE)(CO₃)₂F
Yb	Ytterbium
Yb	ⓘ Xenotime-(Yb)	Yb(PO₄)
Th	Thorium
Th	ⓘ Thorite	Th(SiO₄)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

China

Jiangxi
- Longnan - Dingnan - Quannan W ore fieldOre Field
Nanling metallogenic beltMineral Belt
Southern China Li Mineral BeltMineral Belt

Eurasian Plate

West CathaysiaOrogenic Belt

Yangtze PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Deqian Chen, Daoling Yin, Jianxiong Zhou, Xingyuan Lin, Hanqing Zhang and Nicheng Shi (1994): The discovery of an end member of the (Y)-aeschynite group - (Ti,Y)-Aeschynite. Geological Review 59(1), 82-86.

Chengyu Wu, Zhongxin Yuan, Dianhao Huang, and Ge Bai (1995): Genesis of REE-bearing fluids related to calc-alkalic and alkalic granitic systems: Implications from isotope and fluid inclusion geochemistry. In: Pasava, J., Kribek, B., and Zak, K. (Eds.): Mineral Deposits: from Their Origin to Their Environmental Impacts. A.A. Balkema (Rotterdam), 547-550.

[1]Shi, Aiguo, Xu, Cheng, Fan, Chaoxi, Chakhmouradian, Anton R., Brenna, Marco, Wei, Chunwan (2024) Structural Defects of Heavy Rare Earth Element Minerals in Granite Accelerate Their Decomposition and Facilitate Mineralization During Weathering. Economic Geology, 119 (4) 871-883 doi:10.5382/econgeo.5057

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