FEST: 'Rare Earth Element mineral systems associated with alkaline magmas'

Friday Earth Sciences Talk by Dr Charlie Beard

Alkaline–silicate and carbonatite igneous complexes host the world's largest deposits of lanthanides and niobium; metals critical for decarbonisation of energy infrastructure, for technology, and for defence. Exploration models for many critical raw materials are comparatively less well developed than those for base and precious metals, such as copper and gold.

The HiTech AlkCarb project used a global review of maps, cross-sections, geophysical, geochemical, and petrological observations to build a description of the alkaline-silicate REE + HFSE mineral system from continental scale (1000s km) down to deposit scale (~1 km). This framework continues to inform fruitful avenues for research including (i) clarifying fundamental mantle and crustal factors that determine the fertility of entire continental rifts or collisional belts; (ii) quantifying the control of pressure on crystal fractionation and the residual enrichment of metals; (iii) the use of surface weathering to sidestep challenges associated with metal extraction from complex ore assemblages.

With the FEST, we intend to bring the departments of Earth Sciences and Physical Geography together. The aim is to present (mostly) Utrecht-based Earth Sciences in an accessible way, primarily in order to stay familiar with each other’s work across disciplines. Simultaneously, this provides an excellent platform to help (in particular MSc.) students in their orientation on possible graduation specialisations and future careers.