A Geochemical Study of an REE‐rich Carbonatite Dyke at Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

Abstract An REE‐rich carbonatite dyke was found in Dulahala, close to the Bayan Obo superlarge REE‐Nb‐Fe mineral deposit in Inner Mongolia, northern China. The REE content in the dyke varies greatly, from 1% up to 20% (wt), which might constitute rich REE ores. Light REEs in the carbonatite are enriched and highly fractionated relative to heavy REEs and there is no Eu anomaly. The REE and trace element distribution patterns of the carbonatite are identical to those of fine‐grained dolomite marble which is the host rock of the Bayan Obo REE‐Nb‐Fe superlarge mineral deposit. This indicates a petrogenetic linkage between the REE‐rich carbonatite and the mineralizations in this region.