Fluorite Mineralization and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry

Fluorite mineralization, predominantly composed of calcium fluoride, represents a variety of hydrothermal, magmatic and sedimentary processes that concentrate fluorine within the Earth’s crust. It frequently occurs in association with vein-hosted systems, carbonatites and iron-oxide–copper–gold provinces, where evolving fluid chemistries deposit fluorite alongside gangue minerals such as barite, calcite and quartz. Rare earth elements (REE) commonly substitute into the fluorite lattice or occur as accessory REE-bearing phases, providing a powerful record of fluid sources, temperature–pressure conditions and subsequent mixing events. Europium anomalies, heavy-to-light REE ratios and isotopic signatures (Sr, Sm–Nd) offer insights into magmatic versus basinal or meteoric origins of mineralising fluids. Understanding the interplay between fluorite mineralization and REE geochemistry has grown in importance due to the critical role of fluorine in industrial applications and the strategic value of REE in high-technology sectors. Integrating petrographic observations, fluid inclusion studies and trace element analyses allows reconstruction of ore-forming pathways, with clear implications for exploration models, resource evaluation and sustainable extraction of both fluorine and REE.

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Fluorite Mineralization and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in fluorite mineralization and rare earth element geochemistry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Fluorite: A mineral composed of calcium fluoride (CaF₂) that forms under a range of hydrothermal, magmatic and sedimentary conditions and often concentrates trace and rare earth elements.

Rare earth elements (REE): A group of seventeen metallic elements, from lanthanum to lutetium plus yttrium, valued for their magnetic, catalytic and optical properties; their distribution in minerals provides clues to fluid sources and genesis.

Fluid inclusion: Microscopic pockets of fluid trapped within minerals during growth, whose temperature, salinity and composition record the conditions of ore formation.

Eu anomaly: A deviation in expected europium concentration relative to neighbouring REE, indicative of redox conditions, temperature or source rock characteristics during mineralisation.

References

1. A New Classification Scheme of Fluorite Deposits. International Journal of Geosciences (2017).
2. Lanthanide and yttrium substitution in natural fluorite. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals (2023).
3. Origin and tectonic setting of Pingqiao fluorite-lithium deposit in the Guizhou, southwest Yangtze Block, China. Ore Geology Reviews (2022).
4. Spectral Characteristics, Rare Earth Elements, and Ore-Forming Fluid Constrains on the Origin of Fluorite Deposit in Nanlishu, Jilin Province, China. Minerals (2022).
5. Trace and Rare Earth Elements, and Sr Isotopic Compositions of Fluorite from the Shihuiyao Rare Metal Deposit, Inner Mongolia: Implication for Its Origin. Minerals (2020).