Carl Spandler presents 'Rare Earth Element potential of phosphorites of the Georgina Basin'. 

Carl Spandler (University of Adelaide) presents the talk 'Rare Earth Element potential of phosphorites of the Georgina Basin' at the July 2023 GSA SGEG Facets of Exploration Webinar.
Abstract:
Rare Earth elements (REE) are key ingredients for a range of technologies that are needed for the global renewable energy transition. Rapidly increasing demand is driving efforts to find alternative sources of these critical metals, including in non-traditional sources, such as surficial clay deposits, deep sea sediments and mine wastes. In this talk I will present phosphate-rich sedimentary rocks as another potential source of REE. The presentation will focus on recent characterisation work on phosphorites of the Georgina Basin of northern Australia; rocks that were initially regard to be unprospective for REE, but turn out to have among the highest REE contents of any phosphorites globally.