Introduction
Eudialyte is easily recognized by its striking pink to red-wine color. It is a complex zirconium-silicate mineral that has long fascinated geologists and metallurgists. Unlike Bastnäsite, which is LREE-dominant, Eudialyte is a rich source of Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) and Zirconium.
Composition & Chemistry
Formula: Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3SiO(O,OH,H2O)3(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2(OH,Cl)2
The formula is notoriously complex. However, the economic takeaway is simple: it contains a very favorable ratio of Dysprosium and Yttrium relative to Cerium. It is soluble in acid, which is both a blessing and a curse-it dissolves easily, but it creates a “silica gel” that clogs filters, making industrial processing difficult.
Key Projects
Major deposits are found in Greenland (Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez) and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. These projects are often viewed as the western world’s best potential answer to China’s dominance in heavy rare earths.