The carbonatite story once more and associated REE mineral systems

In this article we provide an introduction and a history of Carbonatites, successively we present, followed by key examples in which the first author has extensively worked. We have also, for the general interest, provided the etymology of REE names. There are two types of REE, namely: light REE (LREE) and heavy REE (HREE). It must be pointed out that the element Yttrium is not an REE, but it is generally accepted to have it included, due to its chemical similarities with the REEs. The key examples discussed in this article include: the Copperhead carbonatite located in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Kruidfontein Volcanic Complex, near the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, the Okorusu alkaline complex and associated carbonatites in Namibia, the Gifford Creek Ferrocarbonatite in Western Australia, and the giant world-famous Bayan Obo. Of the above, the Gifford Creek Ferrocarbonatite is considered as the distal expression of the Warakurna Large Igneous Province (LIP).