A Brief Overview Including Uses, Worldwide Resources, and Known Occurrences in Alaska

A brief overview including uses, worldwide resources, and known occurrences in Alaska

Information Circular 61

David J. Szumigala and Melanie B. Werdon STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) 3354 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709-3707 www.dggs.alaska.gov COVER PHOTO CAPTIONS:

TOP: Sheeted REE-bearing veins, Dotson Trend, Bokan Mountain property, Alaska. Photo from http://www.ucoreraremetals.com/docs/SME_2010_Keyser.pdf

BOTTOM: Rare-earth-element-bearing quartz vein exposed in granite, Bokan Mountain, Alaska. Photo from http://www.ucoreraremetals.com/docs/SME_2010_Keyser.pdf RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS: A brief overview including uses, worldwide resources, and known occurrences in Alaska David J. Szumigala and Melanie B. Werdon

GGS Minerals Program The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), part of the Department of Natural Resources, is charged by statute with determining the potential of Alaska’s land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources; the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction Dmaterial; and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures. The Mineral Resources Section at DGGS collects, analyzes, and provides information on the geological and geophysical framework of Alaska as it pertains to the state’s mineral resources. The results of these studies include reports and maps, which are used by scientists for various associated studies, by mining company geologists as a basis for their more focused exploration programs, and by state and federal agency personnel in resource and land-use management decisions.

This paper provides a brief overview of rare-earth elements, their uses, and current worldwide sources of their production. A summary of some Alaska occurrences of rare-earth elements and associated rocks is also included. This information circular is meant to be non-technical. A brief bibliography of geology papers describing Alaska rare-earth-element occurrences is included for those interested in more detailed geological information on rare-earth-element deposits in Alaska.

ntroduction to Rare-Earth Elements Rare-earth elements and the supply of and demand for these resources are currently significant news items. The global Imining industry has ramped up exploration for mineral deposits containing rare-earth elements to meet the perceived future demand. High prices for rare-earth elements continue to drive exploration.

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of chemical elements that occur together in the periodic table of the elements (fig. 1). The group consists of the 15 lanthanide elements: lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu). Yttrium (Y) is generally included with the rare-earth elements because it

Figure 1. Periodic table of the elements with rare-earth elements highlighted. Most of the rare-earth elements are in the lanthanide series of elements. Base image from malaxos- chemistry.wikispaces.com.

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 3354 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709-3707 [email protected]; [email protected] Rare-Earth Elements Page • 2 U more following ofthe minerals or material: bastnäsite, loparite, monazite, lateritic andthe clays ion-adsorption (Cordier andHedrick, 2010). (Cordierdivided andHedrick, 2010). Melting for points REEs the range from 798 REEs form iron to gray lustrous silvery that metals are soft, typically malleable, andductile, reactive, andusually at elevated especially temperatures or when finely ofits deposits. innatural chemicalbecause rare earths andphysical withheavy associations ered rare the earths.”“heavy withanatomic yttrium, Although number of39, islighter elements, thanthe light rare-earth group rare-earth it is included heavy inthe europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, with atomic numbers 39 and 63 through 71, are generally consid praseodymium, neodymium,cerium, promethium with atomic andsamarium, numbers 57 through 62, are generally referred to as the “light rare earths.” Yttrium, elementsThe rare-earth are often into informally subdivided and rare earths” “light“heavy atomic the on based rare earths” number element. ofthe Lanthanum, metals.”earth haveThese metals many which similarproperties, often them cause to found together be inmineral deposits. element.earth-element depositsand issometimes asarare-earth classified elements The rare-earth are isoften group andthe metals all referred to asthe “rare- chemicallyis tosimilar elements lanthanide the it and isgenerally elements. foundminerals in rare-earth that rare- inmost contain also occurs also (Sc) Scandium are far usually andmay effective less have ahigher cost. substitutedbe can elements forOther substances uses; however, rare-earth intheir important most substitutes these minated screens electronic on devices, andoptical-quality glass. Demand for products allofthese isexpected to rise. are ascatalysts,used Rare phosphors, earths compounds.and polishing These are used for control, airpollution illu isexpected compounds towith rare-earth increase dramatically. vehicles electric and “green” energysystems solar and turbines likepower wind panels, demand the for batteries made to turbines.drives wind for energyAs concerns independence, climate change, andother issues impact of sale the vehicles. are compounds for alsoused magnets Rare-earth range powerful ofproducts, inawide from computer hard are compounds Several required ofrare-earth pounds for batteries that power vehicles electric hybrid-electric and cameras. and computers, readers, phones, cell as such devices electronic or problems recycling. disposal upon sive, batteries La–Ni–H offer greater energy density, better charge–discharge characteristics, and fewer environmental eventually andcould batteries lead–acid replace tions inautomobiles (Haxel andothers, 2005). moreAlthough expen Ni–H) batteries replacing arenickel–cadmium gradually (Ni–Cd)batteries incomputer andcommunications applica Many rechargeable batteries compounds. are withrare-earth made majorthe categories ofREEusage United inthe States. decades.two For example, 20years agophones cell were available not but number the use today in grownhas exponentiallyto more units.5 billion than Table 1lists cell phones,cell vehicleconverters, catalytic magnets,much and lighting, fluorescent more. The demandfor surged has over goods these in REEsused past the elements,Rare-earth metals,them andalloys are that such consumer incommon used contain goods ascomputer memory, DVDs, rechargeable batteries, ses ofRare-EarthElements Demandfor batteries small, long-lasting bydriven isbeing demandfor portable Rechargeable lanthanum–nickel–hydride (La– °C for to cerium 1,663°C for lutetium. REEoneores orThe principal contain - - - a Other Electronics magnetsPermanent 9 Phosphors for monitors, Glass polishingceramicsand convertersCatalytic Petroleum refining andMetallurgy alloys catalystsChemical Table 1. United States REE Usage 2009 data (USGS, 2011) (USGS, data 2009 television, lightingtelevision, Use Percent 21 22 13 14 8 7 3 3 a

Page • 3 Information Circular 61

a ptic data transmission transmission data ptic n-guided weapons n-guided Element Use Use Element (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2010) (U.S. Government Accountability Office, a Lanthanum Neodymium goggles Night-vision communications systems, guidance range-finders, Laser Europium Erbium monitors and lamps in phosphors and Fluorescents Samarium Precisio Samarium fibero in Amplifiers temperatures high at stable magnets Permanent Samarium technology stealth in production noise” “White Elements Rare-Earth of Uses Defense of Department 2. Table ------U.S. Gov- U.S. U.S. Government Account Government U.S. ). Rock-forming elements are found in the found in are elements Rock-forming ). ). The lack of a domestic REE supply chain supply REE chain a domestic of lack The ). 05). Figure 2 shows the relative abundance of the relative 2 shows Figure 05). Haxel and others, 2005 and others, Haxel Haxel and others, 20 and others, Haxel

ritical Defense Uses of Rare-Earth Elements of Rare-Earth Uses Defense ritical rely technology defense and other weapons, precision-guided Night-vision goggles, in modern national defense. an essential role play Rare-earth elements rare-earth can beused for elements Substitutes and satellites. avionics, radar systems, for onvarious ingredients rare-earthRare-earth key metals. metals are tetium are the two least abundant rare-earth elements—but they each have have each they the two are least rare-earth abundant tetium elements—but are-Earth-Element Abundances Thulium and lu implies. name as their “rare” not as are Rare-earth elements

con (Si) atoms ( con (Si) golden the highlighted in are “metals” (rarest) least-abundant the green ovoid and The rare-earth elements have abundances elements area. in the midrange of all shown in this figure. Refer to figurechemical symbols not explained in text. 1 (periodic table) for an explanation of any Figure 2. Abundance of elements in the earth’s crust compared to one million sili earth’s crust compared to one million Figure 2. Abundance of elements in the dance of gold ( dance of gold industrial, and precious-metal rock-forming, in comparison to rare-earth elements commodity prices higher than most of the have The rare-earth elements elements. in concentrations because not usually found high shown are REEs elements other extraction. economical for enough cerium, are yttrium, and neo rare-earthThe most abundant lanthanum elements commonlycrustal used similar to are abundances that average have They dymium. (Mo), molybdenum zinc (Zn), (Ni), nickel (Cr), industrial as chromium metals such rare are these rare-earth elements However, and lead (Pb). (W), tin tungsten (Sn), concentrations. extractable in found ly an average crustal abundance that is nearly 200 times greater than the crustal crustal 200 abun abundance is nearly times greater that an average tinue to depend heavily on REEs, on the basis of current technology and system and system on the basis of current technology heavily depend on REEs, to tinue ( effective of non-REE substitutes a lack and utilizing REEs, designs Accountability Office,2010 ernment be ability to and diminishes its national securitypresents concerns theU.S., for configuration Stockpile a 2009 National example, For leader. a world-technology as having and gadolinium report cerium, europium, identified lanthanum, of lack ( production delay kind causedweapon system of some in some defense applications; however, those substitutes are not as effective. Several defense uses of rare-earth elements are summarized in table 2. There is also summarizedThere are in table uses of rare-earth 2. defense elements Several not as effective. are those substitutes however, applications; defense in some which “off-the-shelf” systems, in defense products widespread use of commercial drives. hard as computer rare-earth such include metals, assessed the likelihood Accountability Office (GAO) Government the U.S. In 2010, on dependency 100 percent nearly of national security risks arising the U.S.’s from the primary China, exports its 72 REEs. by cut sources for source, non-domestic con will likely systems defense reportconcluded U.S. GAO The in 2010. percent ). ability Office, 2010

C R Rare-Earth Elements Page • 4 R States, Nigeria, NorthKorea, and Vietnam ( were: in2009 production Brazil,with notable India, Kyrgyzstan, andMalaysia; minor may production inIndonesia, have Commonwealth occurred ofIndependent amounts ofREEs(Hurst,amounts 2010). ment may add to chain supply the ( Research to create ultimately could methods extraction other possible to lead metals. lower Recycling rare-earth ofthe costs extraction of REEs from old equip exchange,ion late the andliquid-liquid during extraction 1950s crystallization, andearly fractional 1960s. and make them relatively expensive compared to other metals. use waslimited very Their separation efficient industrial techniques until were developed, such as toalso difficult separate from one another, to due in part theirchemical similar properties. These factors add to the ultimatemetals of producing costs rare-earth elementsabundance, rare-earth areto more extract difficult from their ore minerals otherthan most are metals from their ore minerals. elements The rare-earth are elements ofrare-earth sources The principal are minerals the bastnäsite, monazite,loparite and lateriticthe and clays.ion-adsorption Despite theirhigh relative Minerals Yearbooks). (USGS from 1987to2009 duction ofrare-earthoxides Figure 3.Worldwidepro- to for responsible be more than95percent world ofthe oxide equivalentmine rare-earth a on production ( basis elements. of rare-earth amounts produce significant afewOnly countries elements the dominant producer China iscurrently of rare-earth andisbelieved are-Earth ElementProduction were unable to compete. tocompete. unable were world at production. suchsold China that rare rare-earth Mountain the earths low prices Pass Mine andothers throughout world the in Californiato began decline (fig. 3). China’saccounted China for about90percent increased dominance of 2000 in and rapidly world’s the became China elements dominantproducer ofrare-earth earlythe in 1990s, when at production Mountain the Pass Mine Hurst, 2010). forAt highprices REEs, frompiles reprocessingoftailing former mayoperations mining extract also significant USGS, 2011 ). ). Bloomberg News,(Bloomberg 2010). halfof2010first and8,790tonsof 2010 half second in the exported of2011, half for the first compared toof 24,555 tons exports inthe The Chinese government allocated 15,919 exports tons ofrare-earth of 2011 half forreduction first export the in ( fromin 2010 China exports wasfollowed 35percent by announced an shot up to record high levels. The 72 percent reduction of rare-earth announcement triggered some panic prices buyingand rare-earth to exports ensure for a supply earth domestic manufacturing. This In 2010 they their restrict would Chinaannounced rare- significantly neodymium, products 25percent ( praseodymium) concentrates into lanthanum concentrate anddidymium (75percent operate throughout 2010 previously by mined processing rare-earth atplant Mountain Pass to and continued resumed in2007 operation materials.largest consumers ofrare-earth separation The rare-earth markets. Japanport Unitedthe and States third-and are second- the electronics inmanufacturing mainly products for domestic andex elements, dominantthe is also China consumer ofrare-earth used re-earth production ( production re-earth Chinaaccounted forIn 2009 more than97percent world’s ofthe ra U.S. Government 2010Office, Accountability Haxelothers, and 2005 Bloomberg News, Bloomberg 2010 ). ). Other countries ). Other countries USGS, 2011 ). ). ). - - - Page • 5 Information Circular 61 - , . Mariano and others, 2010 ) (http://www.kaiserbottomfish.com/s/Education.asp?ReportID=362761

Figure 4. Global distribution of known rare-earth-element resources. of known rare-earth-element Figure 4. Global distribution Figure from Research Online modified by Kaiser ------). ). 2010 Hurst, orld Rare-Earth Mineral Resources orld Rare-Earth Mineral U.S. ores. most other concentrations less common than for mineable are crust, discovered but in theabundant Earth’s relatively are Rare-earth elements of the most important the location 4 shows of some occurrences REE Figure contained are primarily resources and monazite. and world in bastnäsite

U.S. Geological Survey, 2011 Geological Survey, U.S.

and deposits. Table 3 lists world mine reserves and 2010 mine production. production. mine reserves and 2010 mine 3 lists world Table and deposits. States China and the deposits in United Bastnäsite rare- of the world’s percentage the largest constitute while earth resources, economic Brazil, Australia, deposits in monazite Africa, South Malaysia, India, China, and theUnited Sri Thailand, Lanka, the second-largest constitute States segment.Apatite, cheralite, eudialyte, rare-earth- phosphorites, loparite, bearing sec (ion adsorption) clays, spent uranium so ondary monazite, up most make and xenotime lutions, Undis resources. of the remaining be thought to are resources covered de - expected to very relative large mand ( Mount Weld in Western Australia Australia is in Western Weld Mount mine the most promising probably higher- with its project development ac grade rare-earth and easier ore the Cana to cessibility compared Lake in the Thor at dian projects and Hoidas Territories Northwest ( Lake in Saskatchewan Although construction and opera Weld, Mount beguntions for have hurdles of still number a are there to overcome. In addition, operations be will costlier likely Weld Mount for be to willbecause have theminerals they where Malaysia, transported to China’s future export policies are unpredictable, but most analysts expect the Chinese government to favor China’s domestic interests, needs, and economic develop economic and needs, interests, domestic China’s favor to government most analysts expectthe Chinese but unpredictable, export future are policies China’s ment. Additionally, the total expected production of REEs in China is expected to be insufficient for worldwide demand. worldwide be insufficient for to production in China is expected of REEs expected the total Additionally, ment. Resolution Alaska House Legislaturepassed The industries. REE domestic of reestablishment encourage introduced to bills were and Senate House U.S. 2010, In Alaska. in REE deposits for and continued exploration in the U.S., REE reserves new of development advance urging Congress to 2010 in 16 W Rare-Earth Elements Page • 6 11 Ross–Adamsthe and occurrences, uranium–thorium pit sitethe is of Alaska’s( mining past only uranium–thorium mentsone larger of the area the suggest contains North REEdepositsin America,enrichments withsignificant REEs. heavy in Mountain The Bokan area contains MountainThe Bokan property, located southwest 37miles ofKetchikan of Prince on Wales Island, is Alaska’s REE prospect. significant most Preliminary assess understood. andlandsispoorly currences Mountain,The Bokan Mount Prindle, below. and Tofty described are briefly REEoccurrences (fig. ofacresmillions 6,and 5) ofselected table occurrences or conveyed potentialwith the lands REEs, to but contain mineral-resource the potential oc of these Evaluation of Alaska’s REE potentialis hindered by alack ofbasic geologiccompilation dataand data. ofexisting more has Alaska 70 known than REE mineral andGauch,really 2002). known (Orris 4, intable including are summarized Alaska’sMountain Bokan property. have Many well been not occurrences ofthe studied their and economic potential is not by anumberthe knownsifies of occurrences geological criteria. andothers andLong andGrauchThe North (2010) cited (2002) American occurrences inOrris compiledThe USGS worldwide rare-earth-elementon data Grauch, and mines, clas 2002). fromThe report deposits, (Orris of sources variety a occurrences and sources; and(4)Providing long-term information scientific sound to management on decisions support ofstate-interest lands. private-sector exploration development andcompetitive of Alaska’s to andinfrastructures mineral known re resources; corridors Developing (3) transportation of athorough mineral-resource information baseinclude: governmentcommunity Enhancing (1) andlocal economies andrevenue Stimulating (2) opportunities; uranium, thorium, and rare-earth-element mineralization ishosted inthe Jurassic Granite Bokan Complex, dike of nine complex circular a crudely ring consisting

ol oa rudd 110000 143,000 c b 121,000,000 a Source: USGS Mineral CommoditySummaries,2011 World Total (rounded) Countries Other Malaysia India Commonwealth of China Brazil Australia United States Table 3. World Mine Reserves and 2010 Mine Production Not available Regional associationofformer Soviet republics. As definedbytheUSGS, that part ofthereservebasewhichcouldbe reserves neednotsignifythatextraction facilities areinplace and operative. economically extractedorproducedatthetimeofdetermination. Theterm Independent States(CIS) Country b

8,0 0 180,000 33,000 385 385 33,000 53,000 600 600 53,000 60,600,000 140,000 140,000 60,600,000 40000 NA 24,000,000 14,300,000 09000 NA 20,900,000

,0,0 2,900 3,400,000 REE oxide) oxide) REE Reserves (tonsof a Production

REE oxide) oxide) REE (tonsof 0 c c

A ciently manage or develop that assets are unknown quantified. andnot The benefits magnitude of these resources are largely unknown. The State of effi cannot Alaska mineral imported of these future. inthe commodities However, and location the someproduced past,the in potentialthe has and to producesome of most quantity United States producessome asof 2009. currently of these minerals,Alaska has Figuredeposit types. ofmineral 5shows agraph into imported commodities the als needed for domestic uses. Alaska’s diverse range ofmineral awide hosts geology will be further processed into processed separate elements further be rare-earth will ( ern Territory,( Australia in Malawi;Mount Weld in Western Australia, Australia; andNolansProject inNorth- world,the Newin includingZirconia Dubbo South Wales, Australia; Kangankunde tories, Canada. Other economic assessments around in other took locations place Lemhi Passin Idaho–Montana; Nechalacho and (Thor inNorthwest Lake) Terri- Creek inIdaho;ElkCreek inNebraska; Hoidas inSaskatchewan,Lake Canada; North AmericaMountain at Bokan in Lodge in Bear Alaska; Wyoming; Diamond vestmentinterest and increased dramatically. Economic assessments in continued toExploration efforts develop rare-earth-element projects surged in2010, andin (Hurst, 2010). 2011–2012—Mountkampskraal; Weld; 2012—Hoidas2013—ThorLake; and Lake Productionrestarted. dates for some REEmines are projected to 2010—Steen be: isaformerkampskraal mine inSouth rare-earth operating whichAfrica, hasbeen is considered highly withregard prospective to strategicminer andcritical Mineral amajorof resources comprise part Alaska’s economic assets. Alaska ssessing Alaska’sRare-Earth-ElementPotential U.S. Survey, Geological 2011 MacKevett, 1963 ; ). ). Thompson, 1997 Hurst, 2010 Steen ). ). The ------

Page • 7 Information Circular 61

PHOSPHATE ROCK PHOSPHATE

STONE (crushed) STONE

LIME

BERYLLIUM

PUMICE SULFUR

. IRON and STEEL and IRON

IRON and STEEL SLAG STEEL and IRON

CEMENT

MICA, scrap and flake (natural) flake and scrap MICA,

NICKEL

ALUMINUM

SALT

GYPSUM

PERLITE

COPPER

SILICON (ferrosilicon) SILICON

MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS MAGNESIUM

MAGNESIUM METAL MAGNESIUM

DIAMOND (dust, grit and powder) and grit (dust, DIAMOND

GARNET (industrial) GARNET

VERMICULITE

CHROMIUM

NITROGEN (fixed), AMMONIA (fixed), NITROGEN

PALLADIUM

PEAT

TUNGSTEN

SILVER

TITANIUM (sponge) TITANIUM

TITANIUM MINERAL CONCENTRATES MINERAL TITANIUM

POTASH

COBALT

ZINC

STONE (dimension) STONE

DIAMOND (natural industrial stone) industrial (natural DIAMOND

RHENIUM

TIN

BARITE

PLATINUM

GERMANIUM

BISMUTH

ANTIMONY

GEMSTONES

GALLIUM current needs. Alaska has minerals to satisfy relies on imports of critical States The United Figure 5. has and historically currently Alaska and materials. minerals these of produce many to potential the produced 21 of the 63 shown in this figure. Figure modified from U.S. Geological Survey, 2010

YTTRIUM

VANADIUM

THORIUM THALLIUM

). Mineralization is found in irregular cylindrical “pipes,” steep shear-zone-localized pods or lenses, pods lenses, or shear-zone-localized steep in irregular“pipes,” is found cylindrical Mineralization ). 1997 Thompson,

TANTALUM

STRONTIUM

RUBIDIUM

RARE EARTHS RARE

QUARTZ CRYSTAL (industrial) CRYSTAL QUARTZ

NIOBIUM (columbium) NIOBIUM MICA, sheet (natural) sheet MICA,

2009 U.S. Import Reliance For Minerals and Mineral Materials Materials Mineral Mineral and and Minerals Minerals For For Import Import Reliance Reliance U.S. U.S. 2009 2009

MANGANESE

INDIUM

GRAPHITE (natural) GRAPHITE

FLUORSPAR

CESIUM

BAUXITE and ALUMINA and BAUXITE

ASBESTOS ARSENIC (trioxide) ARSENIC Current AlaskanProduction &Past Alaskan Potential Production PotentialAlaskanFutureProduction VeryPotential Low AlaskanProduction 0 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 100 100 and quartz veins. Exploration for uranium and rare-earth elements began a new phase when Ucore Uranium Inc. (subsequently Ucore Rare Metals Inc.) acquired acquired Inc.) Metals Rare Ucore (subsequently Uranium Inc. Ucore phase when began a new uranium and rare-earth for elements Exploration and quartz veins. conducted Ucore with claim holders. staking through mining claims and option agreements federal property in the Bokan Mountain in 2007, interest 100 percent surveys drilling and (airborne and ground), geophysical since sampling, acquiring the Bokanmapping, geochemical geological including exploration, extensive on the property has identified the conceptual of rare-earth- additional mineralization The exploration the formation changed and model for property. Mountain in this area. mineralization element different phase of peralkaline granitic rocks ( phase peralkalineof granitic rocks different Rare-Earth Elements Page • 8

c b a Elk Creek 0.71 Pajarito Hall Mountain 1,251,872 Quebec Gallimas Mountains Lemhi Pass NWZeus (Kipawa Territories Lake) 7 Valley Music Thor Lake (North T) Mountain Bald 224,808 Bokan Mountain Scrub Oaks Hoidas Lake 1.70 Wet Mountains Hick’s Dome 13,235,020 Diamond Creek Pea Ridge NW Territories Mineville Thor Lake (Lake Zone) Oka Bear Lodge Pass Mountain Strange Lake Thor Lake (Lake Zone) Hill Iron Table 4. U.S. and Canada Rare-Eart Resource type, tonnage, and rank for Bokan Mountain were updated were Mountain Bokan for rank and tonnage, type, Resource Resource Inferred & Indicated Measured, = Resource MI&I Mod High=Moderately HighHigh=Moderately Mod release. Deposit Name Name Deposit Idaho Alaska New Jersey Saskatchewan Colorado Illinois Wyoming California Labrador NW Territories Colorado Nebraska New Mexico Idaho New Mexico California California Missouri New York York New Wyoming Wyoming Quebec Quebec Idaho Location Tonnage (tons) (tons) Tonnage Location h-Element Deposit Reserves and Resources (excluding placerdeposits) (excluding andResources Reserves Deposit h-Element 2,671,248,000 2,671,248,000 193,874,860 193,874,860 151,678,178 151,678,178 3,2,0 01 2424 Ucasfe eore Low Resource Unclassified 6 294,234 0.13 231,420,000 43,418,800 43,418,800 11,020,000 15,380,614 16,199,400 11,767,156 14,973,976 19,836,000 0.08 0.08 19,836,000 2,644,800 4,044,375 3,137,394 6,391, 9,918,000 0.90 0.90 9,918,000 ,0,4 4.24 2,501,540 661,200 12.00 12.00 661,200 110,200 110,200 5,0 0.33 551,000 50,692 50,692 55,100 8.60 8.60 55,100 0 .2 802 10Uncl 78,022 1.22 600 from Long and others (2010) with figures from a March 7, 2011, 7, March a from figures with (2010) others and Long from Grade (percent total rare-earthtotal unknown unknown oxides) 1.43 0.40 0.18 0.05 2.95 0.75 0.38 2.00 0.42 0.42 3.60 8.24 0.97 earth oxides 10,684,992 10,684,992 Contained total rare- 2,772,632 1,234,240 1,471,170 unknown unknown (tons) 423,168 423,168 934 Ucasfe eore Low Resource Unclassified 9 79,344 30,163 30,163 41,876 62,814 65,018 68,324 589 6 nlsiidRsuc Low Resource Unclassified 16 15,869 810 Ucasfe eore Low Resource Unclassified 8 88,160 4.408 4.408 1,543 ,1 2 Ucasfe eore Low Unclassified Resource 20 1,818 ,3 1 Ucasfe eore Low Resource Unclassified 18 4,739 ,1 1 MI&I Resource 17 8,816 ,5 1 MI&IResource 19 2,755 55 55 Rank by tons of rare-earth oxides 24 24 23 22 21 15 14 13 12 11 2 1 5 4 3 Unclassified Resource Unclassified Resource Unclassified Resource Unclassified Resource Inferred Resource Unclassified Resource Resource MI&I Unclassified Resource Unclassified Resource Inferred Resource Proven and Probable Resource MI&I Resource MI&I Unclassified Resource Proven and Probable reserve reserve siidRsuc Low assified Resource Resource Type Ucore Rare MetalsRare press Ucore Inc. a a a a a

c Mod High Mod High Mod High Mod High Mod High Reliability Reliability Moderate Moderate Resource High High High High Low Low Low Low Low Low Low Low b b b b b Page • 9 Information Circular 61 - - - site, monazite, thorianite, thorite, uraninite, and xenotime with fluorite in a Cretaceous-age granitic igneous complex with five with fluorite types complex and xenotime in a Cretaceous-age granitic igneous of granitic-type igneous uraninite, thorite, thorianite, monazite, äsite, Rare-earth-element prospects are known to occur along the length of Prince of Wales Island in alkaline complexes including peralkaline granite–syenite, carbon peralkalinegranite–syenite, including in alkaline Island complexes Wales occurPrince of alongof length the to known prospects are Rare-earth-element ate, and pegmatites at Salmon Bay, Cholmondeley Sound, Dora Bay, Moira Sound, McLean Arm, and Stone Rock Bay (Thompson, 1997). Very little exploration has has little exploration Very 1997). (Thompson, Bay Rock Arm, and Stone McLean Sound, Moira Bay, Dora Sound, Cholmondeley Salmon Bay, at and pegmatites ate, on these prospects. been conducted The propertyAlaska. is ap Prindle in interior of Mount miles west about 18 Creek, Roy near significantoccurrence REE complex Another in an igneous is found mining. is closed to area the Area; Recreation National Mountain White and is currently the within Highway miles norththeSteese of Mile44 of 16 proximately property Creek drilled and identified and sampled MAPCO the Roy Inc. MAPCO by uranium in 1978 originally was staked for complex Prindle syenite The Mount occurs containing as fissureMineralization veins allanite, 1989). (Armbrustmacher, in thorium high and rare-earthelements extremely are small deposits that several bastn and (Freeman rare-earth percent and 15 elements uranium oxide contain 0.1 percent samples up to Rock 1998). and Schaefer, (Freeman syenite by dominated rocks thorium, the upper limit than percent 0.2 prospect contained more Creek the Roy a drill at sample from core fracture zone of a mineralized Samples 1998). Schaefer, and sapphire scheelite, cassiterite, allanite, contained thorite, Creek in Roy sediment from sample and a concentrate spectrography, emission by determination of 1988). and others, corundum (Weber sill with a strike of at length carbonatite Triassic Alaska in a Springs in interior Hot type occurrence Manley near of rare-earth-element is found A slightly different 5,300 drilling of core the U.S. feet by approximately including since 1978, prospect has been explored Ridge Tofty The 1998). and others, least miles6 (Reifenstuhl than one more average that sampling rock trench of feet 30 are theexploration from 2004). results Best known and industryMines of and others, Bureau (Szumigala and yttriumREE, niobium, (Szumigala for anomalous geochemically were of thecore Portions niobium. (as cerium percent REE and 0.15 percent lanthanum) and placer REE resources. have may creeks 2004). Nearby and others, the size and grade of these de REE occurrences determine and to Alaska’s understand to required are studies and geophysical geochemical, geological, Additional discoveries. additional mineral lead to may and study exploration Additional posits. Table 5. Alaska rare-earth-element occurrences and anomalies. Map ARDF Elements (minor Map ARDF No. No. Historical site name(s) elements) No. No. Historical site name(s) Elements (minor elements) 1 DP003 Aichilik River Y, Yb, REE 37 SO001 Cape Darby REE, U, W Unnamed (southern Russian 2 ML015 Okpilak River Mo, U (F, possibly REE) 38 RM020 Sb (Nd, Ta, U) Mountains) Unnamed (northeast of head of 3 ML013 Fire Creek P (REE) 39 SM005 Ce, Hg, Nb, Zn (Au, Cr, Cu) Getmuna Creek) 4 CO027 Unnamed Pb, REE 40 MG036 Eudialyte REE, Zr (Th, U) Unnamed (northeast of lower 5 EA037 Unnamed (on Slate Creek) REE, Th 41 SM037 Ce, La, Sm, Th, U, W, Zr (Au, Cu, Hg, Pb) Sue Creek) 6 EA039 Ruby Creek REE, Th 42 LH006 Unnamed (near Swift River) REE 7 CI027 Hot Springs Creek U?, REE, Th?, W 43 LH007 Unnamed (near Swift River) REE F (Cu, Mo, Pb, REE?, Sb, 8 CI078 Unnamed (near head of Hope Creek) 44 MF026 Monarch No. 1 and No. 2 Au (Ag, Pb, REE) W, Zn) 9 CI051 Roy Creek; Little Champion Creek U (REE) 45 JU060 William Henry Cu, Pb, REE, Zn (Au) Sn (As, Bi, Cs, Cu, Nb, Pb, Lucky Six Creek; William 10 BT018 Unnamed (southeast of Sithylemenkat Lake) 46 JU057 Cu, Pb, REE, Th, U, Zn Rb, REE, Ta, W) Henry Ag, Pb, Zn (Bi, La, Mo, Sn, 11 TN009 Unnamed (Spooky Valley) 47 JU254 Unnamed (near Salmon River) REE (Y, Zr, Nb, Th, La, Ce, Pr, Nd) U, W) Unnamed (near mouth of Port 12 TN083 Unnamed (upper Idaho Gulch) Ce, Nb (Ag, REE, U) 48 PE001 Th, U (Ce, La) Camden) 13 TN099 Tofty Ridge Ce, Nb, Y (Ag, REE, U) 49 PE021 Unnamed (near Totem Bay) Th, U (Ce, La, Nd) 14 TN115 Karshner Creek REE 50 PE056 Unnamed (near Salmon Bay) REE, Th, U (Mo) 15 HU008 Boston Ridge REE, Th, U 51 PE055 Paystreak Vein; Marker Vein U, Th, REE (Mo) Unnamed (northeast ridge of Caribou 16 HU011 REE, Th, U 52 PE060 Unnamed (along Snow Passage) F (Au, Ba, Ce, La) Mountain) Unnamed (in Zane Hills, south of upper Unnamed (near Cone 17 HU016 REE, Th, U 53 BC004 U? (Ce, La, Mo, Nd, Th) Caribou Creek) Mountain) 18 SH010 Unnamed (northeast of Solsmunket Lake) W (REE, Th, U) 54 BC090 Unnamed (near Black Crag) Ag, Au, Cu, Mo, Zn (Ce, La, Nd, Sm, Th, U) 19 MD003 Unnamed Th, U (REE) 55 CR172 Unnamed (at head of Dora Bay) Nb, REE, Y 20 MD002 Unnamed Th, U (Ce, REE) 56 DE042 Unnamed (near Mallard Bay) Au, Ce, Cu, La, U (Y, Zr) Unnamed (north shore, Stone 21 MD004 Unnamed Nb, Th, U (Ce, REE, W) 57 DE043 Au, Ce, Cu, La, U (Y, Zr) Rock Bay) 22 MD005 Unnamed Th, U (Ce, Rb) BOKAN MOUNTAIN PROPERTY (named sites listed below) Little Jim; Little Joe No. 1, 23 MD012 Unnamed Zn (Ce, Rb) 58 DE020 (Nb, REE, Th, Ti, U, Zr) Little Joe No. 2 24 BN094 Windy Creek Mo, Pb, Zn (Ag, Ba, La, Sn) 59 DE030 Shore Be, Nb, REE, Th, Ti, U, Y, Zn, Zr Unnamed (on Tin Creek, tributary to Lost 25 TE042 Be, Sn, F 60 DE028 Upper Cheri Be, Nb, REE, Th, U, Y, Zr River) 26 SO044 Unnamed (on Rock Creek) REE, U 61 DE029 Cheri; Cheri No. 1 Be, Nb, REE, Th, U, Y, Zr 27 SO043 Unnamed (tributary to Vulcan Creek) REE, U 62 DE031 Geoduck Be, Nb, REE, Th, U, Y, Zr 28 SO042 Unnamed (tributary to Clear Creek) REE, U 63 DE015 Geiger Nb, REE, Ta, Th, U, Y, Zr (F, Ge, Pb, Zn) Wennie (Lazo Group); I and L 29 SO040 Unnamed (tributary to Clear Creek) REE, U 64 DE019 Nb, REE, Th, U No. 1 and 2 30 SO041 Unnamed (tributary to Clear Creek) REE, U 65 DE017 Sunday Lake Nb, REE, Th, U, Y, Zr Carol Ann; Carol Ann No. 1; 31 SO039 Unnamed (tributary to Clear Creek) REE, U 66 DE027 Carol Ann No. 2; Carol Ann Nb, REE, Th, U, Y No 3; Dotson I,L, and M; ILM; I, L, and M 32 SO038 Unnamed (tributary to Clear Creek) REE, Sn, U, W 67 DE021 Nb, REE, Th, Y, U, Zr Nos. 1-3 33 SO037 Clear Creek REE, U 68 DE022 Irene-D Nb, REE, U, Y, Zr Nb, Th, U (Ce, Dy, Er, F, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, 34 SO036 Kwiniuk River Cu, REE, W 69 DE023 I and L; I and L Nos. 3-5 Pb, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr) 35 SO159 Unnamed (east of Eagle Creek) REE, Th, U 70 DE016 Boots REE, Th, U 36 SO003 Golovnin Bay REE, U, W 71 DE025 Historic Ross–Adams Mine U (REE, Th)

Sources: Modified from http://ardf.wr.usgs.gov/; NURE sediment data from http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/state/nure_ak.htm Figure 6. Location map of Alaska rare-earth- element occurrences and anomalies. See table 5 for information on individual num- bered sites. eferences Armbrustmacher, T.J., 1989, Minor element content, including radioactive elements and rare-earth elements, in rocks from the syenite complex at Roy Creek, Mount Prindle area, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 89-146, 11 p. Available at http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/webpubs/usgs/of/text/of89- R0146.PDF Bloomberg News L.P., 2010, China cuts export quotas for rare earths by 35%: Bloomberg News December 28, 2010, available at http://www.bloomberg.com/ news/2010-12-28/china-cuts-first-round-rare-earth-export-quotas-by-11-correct-.html. Cordier, Daniel J., and Hedrick, James B., 2010, Rare Earths [Advance Release], 16 p., in U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook 2008, available at http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/myb1-2008-raree.pdf. Freeman, C.J., and Schaefer, J.R., 1998, Alaska resource data file; Circle Quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-783, 207 p., available at http:// ardf.wr.usgs.gov/ardf_data/Circle.pdf Haxel, Gordon B., Hedrick, James B., and Orris, Greta J., 2005, Rare Earth Elements—critical resources for high technology: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 087-02, 4 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/fs087-02/fs087-02.pdf Hurst, Cindy, 2010, China’s rare earth elements industry—What can the West learn?: Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), 42 p., available at http:// fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/rareearth.pdf Long, K.R., Van Gosen, B.S., Foley, N.K., and Cordier, Daniel, 2010, The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United States—A summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5220, 96 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5220/ MacKevett, E.M., 1963, Geology and ore deposits of the Bokan Mountain uranium–thorium area, southeastern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1154, 125 p., available at http://dggs/pubs/id/3620 Mariano, Anthony, Cox, Clint, and Hedrick, James, 2010, Economic Evaluation of REE and Y Mineral Deposits—Presentation at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration [SME], Phoenix, Arizona, available at http://www.smenet.org/rareEarthsProject/SME_2010_Mariano.pdf , 33 p. Orris, Greta J., and Grauch, Richard I., 2002, Rare earth element mines, deposits, and occurrences: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-189, 174 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/of02-189/of02-189.pdf Reifenstuhl, R.R., Dover, J.H., Newberry, R.J., Clautice, K.H., Pinney, D.S., Liss, S.A., Blodgett, R.B., and Weber, F.R., 1998, Geologic map of the Tanana A-1 and A-2 quadrangles, central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Public Data File 98-37A v. 1.1, 19 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360, available at http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/1863 Szumigala, D.J., Graham, G.E., and Athey, J.E., 2004, Alaska resource data file: Tanana quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1386, 309 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1386/ Thompson, Tommy B., 1997, Uranium, thorium, and rare metal deposits of Alaska, in Goldfarb, R.J., and Miller, L.D., eds., Mineral deposits of Alaska: Economic Geology Monograph 9, p. 466–482. U.S. Geological Survey, 2011, Rare earths, Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2 p., available at http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/mcs- 2011-raree.pdf . U.S. Geological Survey, 2010, Mineral commodity summaries 2010: U.S. Geological Survey, 193 p., available at http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/mcs/2010/ mcs2010.pdf U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2010, Rare earth materials in the defense supply chain: Government Accountability Office Report GA-10-617R, 38 p., available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10617r.pdf. Weber, F.R., McCammon, R.B., Rinehart, C.D., Light, T.D., and Wheeler, K.L., eds., 1988, Geology and mineral resources of the White Mountains National Rec- reation Area, east-central Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 88-284, 234 p., 31 sheets, scale 1:63,360, available at http://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/ id/11727. About the Authors…

David Szumigala, a DGGS geologist for the Mineral Resources Section, has 26 years of experience (24 in Alaska) in bedrock geologic mapping, mineral exploration, and ore deposit research. He is also senior author of the state’s annual report on Alaska’s Mineral Industry.

Melanie Werdon, Chief of DGGS Mineral Resources Section, has 22 years of experience (20 in Alaska) in bedrock geologic mapping, mineral exploration, and ore deposit research.

Drs. Szumigala and Werdon work with three other DGGS geologists in the Mineral Resources section with a goal of mapping the geology and assessing the mineral potential of Alaska; their maps and reports generally cover State-owned or other land with mineral potential. They work cooperatively with geologists from other agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, DNR’s Division of Mining, Land & Water, and industry.