Xining, April 10 (Reporter: Zhang Yun, Correspondent: Zhang Weiguo) - It was reported on the 10th that researchers from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Qinghai Geological Survey Institute recently discovered a niobium-rare earth deposit (Dagele Niobium Deposit) associated with alkaline rock-carbonatite complex in the Dagele area of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Scientists believe that this discovery indicates significant prospects for mineral resource development. The related research results have been published in the "Journal of Geotectonics and Metallogeny".
Niobium and rare earth elements are important strategic mineral resources in China. Niobium is dependent on imports, while rare earth elements are a Chinese advantage. Currently, there are no niobium-rare earth mines available for large-scale development and utilization in China.
It is understood that niobium and rare earth deposits are widely distributed worldwide, with diverse types, among which deposits associated with alkaline rock-carbonatite complexes are the most important sources of niobium and rare earth resources.
Researchers introduced that the niobium-rare earth deposit associated with alkaline rock-carbonatite complex newly discovered in the Dagele area of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau provides an important opportunity for studying the genesis and mineralization mechanism of related complex rocks. These studies will also provide scientific guidance for subsequent mineral exploration work.
The Dagele Niobium Deposit is the first large carbonatite-type niobium deposit discovered on the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Preliminary studies show that its particle size and occurrence form are significantly superior to those of major domestic niobium deposits such as Baiyun Obo. The discovery of the Dagele Niobium Deposit not only greatly expands the potential niobium resource areas and exploration scope in China but also provides an opportunity to break through the bottleneck of "difficult extraction and utilization" of existing niobium resources in China.
(Technology Daily)
