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Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits
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Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 October 2025 | Viewed by 4486

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Huimin Su

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Guest Editor
School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: rare and REE mineral deposits associated with granite; Co deposit
Dr. Yang Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
Interests: hydrothermal deposits
Dr. Christina Stouraiti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
Interests: granites geochemistry; igneous petrology; isotope geochemistry; mineral chemistry; rare earth element mineralization; soil characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits”, focuses on the following rare metals: Li, Be, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, W, Sn, Co, Ni and REEs. Rare metals are critical components in modern technology, renewable energy solutions, and advanced electronic devices. As the demand for rare metals increases, new deposits are being explored and existing deposits are being re-evaluated using advanced techniques for mineral recovery. Rare metal deposits not only hold significant economic value, but also present complex geological, geochemical, and environmental challenges. Understanding the processes and factors that govern rare metal mineralization is essential for sustainable resource development and management. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advancements and research findings in the field of rare metal mineral deposits.

We welcome contributions that provide novel insights into the geological processes, mineralogical characteristics and enrichment mechanisms of rare metals. This Special Issue will focus on the following topics: (1) Geological Processes: In-depth studies on the formation and alteration of rare metal deposits. (2) Mineralogical Characteristics: Detailed studies of the occurrence of rare metal minerals and their geochemical composition. (3) Geochemistry and Geochronology: Advances in geochemical and geochronological methods that provide critical insights into the age, origin, and evolution of rare metal deposits. (4) Enrichment Mechanisms: Research on the physical and chemical processes that lead to the significant enrichment of rare metals in various geological settings. (5) Resource Exploration: Innovative approaches and techniques for the exploration and assessment of rare metal resources, including new methodologies and technologies.

Dr. Huimin Su
Dr. Yang Gao
Dr. Christina Stouraiti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rare metal mineral deposits
  • enrichment mechanism
  • geochemistry
  • geochronology
  • mineralization processes
  • resource exploration

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4683 KB  
Article
Geochemical Characteristics and Genetic Significance of Garnet in the Dulong Sn-Polymetallic Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
by Tong Liu, Shao-Yong Jiang, Dong-Fang Li, Suo-Fei Xiong, Wei Wang and Shugang Xiao
Minerals 2025, 15(9), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15090911 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 486
Abstract
The Dulong Sn-polymetallic deposit in Yunnan Province of southwestern China serves as a unique case study for unraveling the evolution of skarn systems and tin mineralization. Four distinct garnet types (Grt I to Grt IV) were classified based on petrographic observations. Compositional analysis [...] Read more.
The Dulong Sn-polymetallic deposit in Yunnan Province of southwestern China serves as a unique case study for unraveling the evolution of skarn systems and tin mineralization. Four distinct garnet types (Grt I to Grt IV) were classified based on petrographic observations. Compositional analysis reveals a progression from Grt I to Grt III, marked by increasing andradite components, and elevated tin concentrations, peaking at 5039 ppm. These trends suggest crystallization from Sn-enriched magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. In contrast, Grt IV garnet exhibits dominant almandine components and minimal tin content (<2 ppm). Its association with surrounding rocks (schist) further implies its metamorphic origin, distinct from the magmatic origin of the other garnet types. Combined with previously published sulfur and lead isotopic data, as well as trace element compositions of garnet, our study suggests that Laojunshan granites supply substantial ore-forming elements such as S, Pb, W, Sn, In, and Ga. In contrast, elements such as Sc, Y, and Ge are inferred to be predominantly derived from, or buffered by, the surrounding rocks. The geochemical evolution of the garnets highlights the critical role of redox fluctuations and fluid chemistry in controlling tin mineralization. Under neutral-pH fluid conditions, early-stage garnets incorporated significant tin. As the oxygen fugacity of the ore-forming fluid declined, cassiterite precipitation was triggered, leading to tin mineralization. This study reveals the interplay between fluid redox dynamics, garnet compositional changes, and mineral paragenesis in skarn-type tin deposits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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14 pages, 2536 KB  
Article
Geochemistry and Genetic Significance of Scheelite in the Nanwenhe Tungsten Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China
by Wei Wang, Shao-Yong Jiang, Kexin Wang, Yu-Ying Che and Shugang Xiao
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080875 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 422
Abstract
The Nanwenhe tungsten deposit is located in the southeastern Yunnan Laojunshan mineral district and is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic Mengsong Group strata. It can be divided into two periods and four stages: skarn (early and late) and the vein type (feldspar–quartz–scheelite–tourmaline and calcite. [...] Read more.
The Nanwenhe tungsten deposit is located in the southeastern Yunnan Laojunshan mineral district and is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic Mengsong Group strata. It can be divided into two periods and four stages: skarn (early and late) and the vein type (feldspar–quartz–scheelite–tourmaline and calcite. There are two types of scheelite occurrences: one in skarn (Sch-1) and the other in feldspar–quartz–scheelite–tourmaline veins (Sch-2). The latter is further divided into two types: Sch-2a and Sch-2b. The REE content and Eu anomaly of skarn scheelite (Sch-1) are affected by early mineral crystallization; Sch-2a in feldspar–quartz–scheelite–tourmaline veins forms in a Na+-rich environment, and Eu2+ released into the fluid through hydrolysis may have largely entered tourmaline, resulting in the weak positive Eu anomaly of Sch-2a; the negative Eu anomaly of Sch-2b is likely inherited from the metamorphic fluid. The mineralization is likely closely related to the metamorphic fluid activity generated by the tensional structural environment at the end and after the regional uplift, forming ore by reducing fluids associated with regional metamorphism. The Laojunshan mineral district hosts several tungsten and tin polymetallic deposits and occurrences that share similar geological characteristics with the Nanwenhe tungsten deposit. No granite bodies related to mineralization have been identified within the mining area. Therefore, research on the genesis of the Nanwenhe tungsten deposit holds significant value for guiding exploration efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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16 pages, 8282 KB  
Article
Petrographic, Geochemical, and Geochronological Characteristics of the Granite in Yunnan and Its Constraints on Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Element Mineralization
by Bin Zhang, Haobin Niu, Linkui Zhang, Binhui Zhang, Xiangping Zhu, Rudong Gao, Yongfei Yang and Yinggui Zou
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080872 - 19 Aug 2025
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Abstract
The TuguanZhai rare earth deposit in Tengchong, along with the Longan and Yingpanshan deposits in Longchuan, is a significant ion-adsorption type rare earth (iREE) deposit in Yunnan, China. Previous studies mainly focused on the geochemistry of residual regolith or the migration and enrichment [...] Read more.
The TuguanZhai rare earth deposit in Tengchong, along with the Longan and Yingpanshan deposits in Longchuan, is a significant ion-adsorption type rare earth (iREE) deposit in Yunnan, China. Previous studies mainly focused on the geochemistry of residual regolith or the migration and enrichment mechanism of rare earth elements (REEs), but lacked systematic analysis of the protoliths. To constrain this deposit and its protolith rock, called Tuguanzhai granite, we systematically integrate petrology features, petrogeochemistry, zircon U-Pb date, and artificial heavy mineral separation (AHMS). Specifically, iREE-host granites include two main periods in this area: the Early Cretaceous (112.13 ± 0.75 Ma) and the Paleocene–Eocene (52.78 ± 0.28 Ma, 48.56 ± 0.19 Ma). The former includes three types of biotite monzogranite with different grain sizes, and the latter is mainly medium-grained biotite monzogranite with local mylonitization. Geochemical features show that these granites generally share high alkalinity compositions (w(K2O + Na2O): 7.15 to 12.75 wt%) and potassium contents (w(K2O): 3.89 to 8.36 wt%). The mineralized granites exhibit significantly higher concentrations of the total REEs than non-mineralized granites, along with a strong enrichment of light REEs. Moreover, the results of AHMS reveal that the REE contents of apatite, allanite, and titanite in mineralized granites are 4.98, 1.29, and 1.90 times more abundant than in non-mineralized granites, respectively. Due to REEs being released from these REE-rich minerals in humid environments, there exists significant potential for iREE formation and exploration in the Early Cretaceous granites in western Yunnan. We innovatively propose the “abundance of easily leachable minerals” as a key indicator for iREE mineralization and exploration, having found it to be better than the traditional total REE contents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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21 pages, 5158 KB  
Article
Genesis of the Erentaolegai Silver Deposit, Inner Mongolia, Northeast China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusion and H-O-S Isotopes
by Yushan Zuo, Xintong Dong, Zhengxi Gao, Liwen Wu, Zhao Liu, Jiaqi Xu, Shanming Zhang and Wentian Mi
Minerals 2025, 15(7), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15070748 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 568
Abstract
The Erentaolegai silver deposit is located within the Derbugan metallogenic belt in the eastern segment of the Central Asia–Mongolia giant orogenic belt. The ore bodies are primarily hosted in the volcanic rocks of the Middle Jurassic Tamulangou Formation of the Mesozoic. The mineralization [...] Read more.
The Erentaolegai silver deposit is located within the Derbugan metallogenic belt in the eastern segment of the Central Asia–Mongolia giant orogenic belt. The ore bodies are primarily hosted in the volcanic rocks of the Middle Jurassic Tamulangou Formation of the Mesozoic. The mineralization process of the deposit is divided into three stages: Stage I: Pyrite–Quartz Stage; Stage II: Sulfide–Quartz Stage; Stage III: Quartz–Manganese Carbonate Stage. This paper discusses the ore-forming fluids, ore-forming materials, and deposit genesis of the Erentaolegai silver deposits using fluid inclusions microthermometry, laser Raman spectroscopy, and H-O-S isotope analyses. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and laser Raman spectroscopy analyses indicate that the Erentaolegai silver deposit contains exclusively fluid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions, all of which belong to the H2O-NaCl system. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in the three stages (from early to late) ranged from 257 to 311 °C, 228 to 280 °C, and 194 to 238 °C, corresponding to salinities of 1.91 to 7.86 wt%, 2.07 to 5.41 wt%, and 0.70–3.55 wt% NaCl equivalent, densities of 0.75 to 0.83 g/cm−3, 0.80 to 0.86 g/cm−3 and 0.85 to 0.89 g/cm−3. The mineralization pressure ranged from 12.2 to 29.5 MPa, and the mineralization depth was 0.41 to 0.98 km, indicating low-pressure and shallow-depth mineralization conditions. H-O isotope results indicate that the ore-forming fluid is a mixture of magmatic fluids and meteoric water, with meteoric contribution dominating in the late stage. The δ34S values of metallic sulfides ranged from −1.8 to +4.0‰, indicating that the metallogenic material of the Erentaolegai silver deposit was dominated by a deep magmatic source. This study concludes that meteoric water mixing and subsequent fluid cooling served as the primary mechanism for silver mineral precipitation. The Erentaolegai silver deposit is classified as a low-sulfidation epithermal silver deposit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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24 pages, 6880 KB  
Article
Petrogenesis of Granitoids from the Waxing Mo Polymetallic Deposit, NE China: Implications for Magma Fertility and Mineralization
by Yang Liu, De-You Sun, Yang Gao, Hong-Chao Wang, Yu-Xin Ma, Jun Xu and Xin-Tong Liu
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111104 - 29 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1000
Abstract
The Waxing Mo polymetallic deposit is located in the central part of the Lesser Xing’an–Zhangguangcai Range (LXZR), NE China. The Mo (Cu) mineralization in the deposit is dominantly hosted by quartz veinlets and stockworks and is closely related to silicification and potassic alteration, [...] Read more.
The Waxing Mo polymetallic deposit is located in the central part of the Lesser Xing’an–Zhangguangcai Range (LXZR), NE China. The Mo (Cu) mineralization in the deposit is dominantly hosted by quartz veinlets and stockworks and is closely related to silicification and potassic alteration, while the W mineralization is most closely related to greisenization. Zircon samples from granodiorite, biotite monzogranite, granodiorite porphyry, and syenogranite in the Waxing deposit yielded U-Pb ages of 172.3 Ma, 172.8 Ma, 173.0 Ma, and 171.4 Ma, respectively. Six molybdenite samples from porphyry Mo ores yielded a Re-Os isochron age of 172.0 ± 1.1 Ma. The granitoids in the ore district are relatively high in total alkali (Na2O + K2O), are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, and are classified as I-type granitoids. The zircon samples from all granitoids showed a relatively consistent Hf isotopic composition, as shown by positive εHf(t) values (3.1–8.3) and young TDM2 ages (0.69–1.25 Ga). These results, combined with the whole-rock geochemistry, suggest that the magma source of these rocks most likely derived from partial melting of a juvenile middle-lower continental crust, with a minor contribution from the mantle. These granitoids have compositional characteristics of adakites such as relatively high Sr contents (e.g., >400 ppm) and Sr/Y ratios (e.g., >33), as well as weak Eu anomalies (e.g., Eu/Eu* = 0.8–1.1), indicating extensive fractionation crystallization of a hydrous magma. The apatite geochemistry indicates that the ore-related magma in Waxing is F-rich and has a relatively low content of sulfur. The zircon geochemistry reveals that the granodiorite, biotite monzogranite, and granodiorite porphyry have relatively high oxygen fugacity (i.e., ΔFMQ = +1.1~1.3), whereas the fO2 values of the granite porphyry and syenogranite are relatively low (i.e., ΔFMQ = +0.1~0.5). The whole-rock and mineral geochemistry suggest that the Mo mineralization in Waxing is probably genetically related to granitoids (i.e., granodiorite, biotite monzogranite, and granodiorite porphyry), with higher oxygen fugacity and a high water content, whereas the magmatic S concentration is not the key factor controlling the mineralization. A comparison of the geochemical compositions of ore-forming and barren stocks for porphyry Mo deposits in the LXZR showed that geochemical ratios, including Eu/Eu* (>0.8), 10,000*(Eu/Eu*)/Y (>600), Sr/Y (>33), and V/Sc (>8), could be effective indicators in discriminating fertile granitoids for porphyry Mo deposits from barren ones in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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Review

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21 pages, 8196 KB  
Review
A Review of Rare Earth Elements Resources in Africa
by Junping Ren, Alei Gu, Kai Sun, Hang Zhang, Jianwu Li, Hongwei Sun, Yiguan Lu, Xin Tong, Xingyuan Wu and Zuomin Zhou
Minerals 2025, 15(9), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15090980 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for modern high-tech development and have been identified as key mineral resources by major economies worldwide. This paper presents a systematic review of REE deposits in Africa, covering their distribution, reserves and resources, deposit types, mineralization ages, [...] Read more.
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for modern high-tech development and have been identified as key mineral resources by major economies worldwide. This paper presents a systematic review of REE deposits in Africa, covering their distribution, reserves and resources, deposit types, mineralization ages, characteristics of typical deposits, and exploration investments. Africa hosts abundant REE resources, which are primarily concentrated in 12 countries. The continent’s reserves and advanced resources of rare earth oxides (REO) amount to 195.6 × 104 t and 1014.4 × 104 t, respectively. In recent years, exploration and development efforts have progressed rapidly. REE mineralization in Africa can be classified into eight categories, with carbonatite and ion-adsorption-type deposits currently being the primary focus of exploration and development. Exploration investment in African REE deposits peaked in 2012, followed by a decline to its lowest point in 2017. Since 2018, the exploration investment value has increased rapidly. Looking ahead, prices for light rare earth elements (LREEs) are projected to stabilize or experience a slight decrease, while prices for heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) are expected to gradually increase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Rare Metal Mineral Deposits)
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