A new study has revealed that extinct volcanoes , such as Kiruna in Sweden and El Laco in Chile, could be a rich source of rare earth elements (REE), essential for modern technology and the transition to renewable energy. This discovery, based on scientific experiments, highlights the process of immiscibility between iron silicate and phosphate liquids (FeP-Si) as the key mechanism for the concentration of these valuable elements.
The relationship between extinct volcanoes and rare earths
The study, conducted by researchers in Australia and China and published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters , replicated in the lab the geological conditions that occur at these volcanoes . Using a piston-cylinder apparatus, they simulated how iron phosphate and silicate liquids do not mix , forming tiny “pockets” in which light rare earth elements such as neodymium and lanthanum are concentrated.
These experiments showed that the immiscibility of these liquids is essential for the formation of iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits in volcanoes. The results explain why these sites contain high levels of rare earths, an essential resource for the production of clean technologies such as wind turbines and electric car batteries .
The experiment also points out that extinct volcanoes such as Kiruna and El Laco not only hold a fascinating geological past, but now also represent a crucial opportunity for the future of renewable energy . The study highlights that these IOA deposits contain large amounts of monazite, a rare earth mineral, which could help meet the growing demand for these critical elements in modern technology.
According to the researchers, this discovery expands the possibilities of mineral exploration and also offers a more sustainable alternative to obtain rare earths, reducing the dependence on traditional mining , which often has high environmental costs.
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Source: Geochemical Perspectives Letters
Photo: shutterstock
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