Rare earth elements 

The Northern Territory contains numerous REE occurrences and a current resource of 0.58 Mt REO exists at Nolans Bore (see Undeveloped REE resources) 135 km north of Alice Springs.

REE mineralisation is present in a number of deposit styles including; hydrothermal veins, pegmatitic dykes and alkaline igneous rocks. Small REE-bearing hydrothermal veins and pegmatites are present in the Pine Creek Orogen. Significant REE-bearing hydrothermal veins (eg. Nolans Bore), pegmatites and alkaline igneous rocks are present in the eastern and northern Arunta Region. The presence of carbonatite intusives in the eastern Arunta Region suggests further high REE potential.

There is potential for REE deposits within a hydrothermal vein/alteration system hosted by volcanic complexes in the eastern McArthur Basin, as palaeoplacer deposits at the base of the Gardiner Sandstone in the Birrindudu Basin, and in association with pegmatites and granitic rocks in the eastern Musgrave Block.

Further details on the geological setting, ore characteristics, genesis and potential for Rare Earth Element mineralisation in the Eastern Arunta Region are documented in NTGS Record 2003-004 (see Rare earth elements mineralisation in the eastern Arunta).

Last Updated: 1 October 2007