Rare Earth Minerals in Canada.

I knew that this was a real Issue twenty years ago and the lack of USA  response puzzled me.  Now it is a problem because China did treat it as strategic.

From this .however, Canada can readily source as much mineral as we will ever need, and quickly as well.  That was never the problem and others can do this as well.

The headache has been in the processing and China has got fully on top of the problem.  That will take real time and also Govenment support to grab back this market.  It is too dangerous not to.

Yet Stupid does as stupid does.  Like tarrifing Canadian aluminum when you produce essentially zip.  Thus tarrifing all USA downstream manufacturyand then not reversing this blunder.

Rare Earth Minerals in Canada.

Canada has abundant geological occurrences of rare earth elements (REEs) across multiple provinces and territories, with deposits found in various geological settings such as carbonatites, pegmatites, and igneous intrusions. Key regions for REE potential include the Ring of Fire and Elliot Lake in Ontario, Strange Lake in Labrador, carbonatites in British Columbia like Wicheeda, and peralkaline granites in Nova Scotia. REE minerals like monazite and xenotime are common, and the country possesses significant reserves, with ongoing exploration and development focusing on extracting both light and heavy REEs for applications in clean energy and electronics.

Geological Context

Carbonatites and Igneous Intrusions:Many Canadian REE deposits are associated with carbonatites (alkaline igneous rocks) and other syenite or granite intrusions, which can host significant REE concentrations.

Pegmatites:REEs are found in rare-element pegmatites, especially in Ontario and British Columbia.

Volcanic and Metamorphic Rocks:REE deposits also occur in volcanic sequences and associated metamorphic rocks in provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Key Regions with REE Geology

Ontario:Features numerous REE occurrences associated with monazite and xenotime in areas like the Ring of Fire and Elliot Lake, known for its uranium deposits and REE potential.

British Columbia:Hosts several prospects within carbonatites and syenite complexes, with the Wicheeda carbonatite being a key example.

Labrador/Quebec:Home to large REE deposits like Strange Lake, which is a significant source of both light and heavy REEs and is considered one of the two largest Canadian REE deposits.

Northwest Territories:The location of Canada's first REE mine, the Nechalacho project, which hosts neodymium and praseodymium.

Nova Scotia:Features REE occurrences in Devonian-Carboniferous peralkaline granites and associated volcanic rocks, with potential extending beyond the initial discovery areas.

Minerals

Host Minerals:Common REE-bearing minerals include monazite (a phosphate mineral containing heavier REEs) and xenotime (a phosphate mineral typically rich in heavy REEs). Bastnäsite, a fluorocarbonate, is also a key REE mineral, particularly in Ontario.

Significance

Heavy REEs:Some Canadian deposits, such as Strange Lake, are notable for their high concentrations of heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium, which are strategically important for global supply chains.

Clean Energy Transition:REEs are crucial for manufacturing components in wind turbines and electric vehicles, driving demand