carbonatite

rock

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July 23, 2026

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Carbonatites are a type of igneous rock primarily composed of carbonate minerals like calcite and dolomite. These rocks are of intrusive origin and can contain valuable ore minerals, such as those for rare earths, niobium, and copper.1234

The exact origin of carbonatite magma is not fully understood, but they are often found near alkaline or ultramafic igneous rocks. Carbonatites have been discovered on every continent and vary in age, with some dating back to the early Proterozoic Eon. Many carbonatite deposits are economically significant and are mined for various resources.14

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mineral deposit
Carbonatite deposits
Carbonatites are igneous rocks that consist largely of the carbonate minerals calcite and dolomite; they sometimes also contain the rare-earth ore minerals bastnaesite, parisite, and monazite, the niobium ore mineral pyrochlore, and (in the case of the carbonatite deposit at Palabora in South…
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Carbonatites are igneous rocks that consist largely of the carbonate minerals calcite and dolomite; they sometimes also contain the rare-earth ore minerals bastnaesite, parisite, and monazite, the niobium ore mineral pyrochlore, and (in the case of the carbonatite deposit at Palabora in South…
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igneous rock
Other terrestrial occurrences
…crust are the kimberlites and carbonatites. Both are of economic value because they yield diamonds and niobium, respectively. Kimberlites are mica peridotites that are found in pipes. The stable interiors of South Africa and Siberia have widespread occurrences, but these pipes also are found in North America, Australia, Brazil, and…
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…crust are the kimberlites and carbonatites. Both are of economic value because they yield diamonds and niobium, respectively. Kimberlites are mica peridotites that are found in pipes. The stable interiors of South Africa and Siberia have widespread occurrences, but these pipes also are found in North America, Australia, Brazil, and…
Read More