Rare earth element-bearing fluorite deposits of Turkey: An overview

Abstract

Rare Earth Element (REE)-bearing fluorite deposits in Turkey occur in association with Cenozoic post-collisional alkaline-carbonatite systems and can be divided into three groups: (1) carbonatite-associated; (2) those associated with subalkaline to alkaline magmatic rocks of Cretaceous to Cenozoic age; and (3) those in sedimentary successions, typically in areas dominated by limestone. Some of these deposits show significant enrichment in the REE, especially the Kizilcaoren deposit which has average REE grades of almost 30,000 ppm; others have very low REE contents but have potential fluorite resources.