地质科技通报 (May 2022)
Rare earth resources in Laos: Characteristics and the prospects for exploration and development
Abstract
Rare Earth Elements are strategically critical metals of all countries in the world with the medium and heavy REEs are particularly important. A large number of granitoids of different ages are distributed in Laos. In this region, the climate is humid, hot and rainy, resulting strong weathering that is favorable for the formation of ion-adsorbed REE deposits. In order to identify the geological characteristics and distribution of Laos′ rare earth resources, and to analyze its investment and exploitation prospects, this study carried out systematic field investigations and related analyses throughout the country, as well as summarizing the progress of recent REE exploration in the region. The results show that the metallogenic characteristics of REE in Laos are comparable to those in southern China, which belongs to a typical weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore(WCED-REO). The orebodies are mainly concentrated in completely weathered layers of granitoid, and the cap layers are relatively thicker than those of southern China. The ore bodies are stratiform and lentoid, with thicknesses of several meters to 20 meters. The average grades of ionic phase rare earth range from 0.4‰ to 0.7‰. Most of them have REE ditributional patterns similar to those of the Xinfeng REE mine in Ganzhou and Jiangxi, which belong to the middle yttrium rich europium type. The rare earth resources of Laos are mainly distributed in the northern parts, such as the Xieng Khouang and Huaphane provinces. The total rare earth resources of the two provinces are estimated to be up to 600, 000 tons. With the opening of Laos′s rare earth policy and the gradual improvement of China′s rare earth strategy, investment in the exploitation of Laos rare earth resources and establishing an overseas strategic base for rare earth resources can support China′s demand for ion-adsorbed rare earth resources in a long-term and stable manner. Meanwhile, it can also facilitate mutual cooperation in mineral resources, significantly contributing the future of both countries.
Keywords
