Rare Earth Element resources in Europe and particularly the Nordic countries

The geology of Europe comprises a broad range og igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, in varying tectonic settings and of diverse geological ages, hosting a significant number of Rare Earth Element (REE) mineral occurrences. These can be divided into two general categories: i) primary deposits, formed through igngeous and hydrothermal processes (e.g. carbonatites and/or syenitic rocks, REEs associated with iron oxide and hydrothermal mineralisations); and ii) secondary deposits, concentrated from primary sources by sedimentary processes and/or weathering (e.g. alluvial and fluvial placers, palaeoplacers, laeritic and bauxitic deposits, and ion-adsorption clays).