Extinct volcanoes: a new source of rare earth elements?

Researchers from the Australian National University have discovered that old volcanoes may be hiding deposits of rare earth elements needed for modern high-tech products such as electric cars and wind turbines.

A team led by Dr. Michael Anenburg studied iron oxide apatite (IOA) deposits formed from iron-rich magma. They found that such deposits may contain higher concentrations of light rare earth elements.