Introduction
Allanite is a member of the epidote mineral group. It is dark, heavy, and often radioactive. It is much more common in the Earth’s crust than minerals like Xenotime, but it has historically been ignored by miners.
Composition & Chemistry
Formula: (Ca,Ce,La,Y)2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH)
Allanite can carry up to 20% rare earth oxides. It is often rich in Light Rare Earths (LREEs). The challenge is that its structure incorporates iron, aluminum, and silica in a way that makes acid leaching “messy,” consuming high amounts of acid and producing silica gel waste.
Strategic Value
As high-grade Bastnäsite deposits are depleted, the industry is re-examining Allanite deposits (such as those in Australia and Scandinavia) as viable long-term resources.