REE fluorcarbonates group are also known as the bastnäsite series (Donnay & Donnay, 1953). The group consists of four minerals: bastnäsite (REEFCO3), synchysite (REEFCO3 · CaCO3), parisite (2REEFCO3 · CaCO3), and röntgenite (3REEFCO3 · 2CaCO3).
Bastnäsite accounts for approximately 90% of the world’s REE production; synchysite occurs subordinately and is associated with bastnäsite. In almost all the cases where bastnäsite is exploited, parisite and röntgenite are comparatively rare.
The general mineral formula for the group is nXYCO3 · mCaCO3, where:
X = LREE,
Y = (F, OH)
m = 0 (bastnäsite) or 1 (synchysite, parisite, röntgenite),
n = 1 (bastnäsite, synchysite), 2 (parisite) or 3 (röntgenite)
Synchysite displays monoclinic symmetry, whereas other species of the bastnäsite group show trigonal or hexagonal symmetry.
The bastnäsite minerals group present two common features:
the structure can be broadly described as the stacking of three types of layers (CeF, CO3 and Ca) along the c axis;
the Ce/F ratios in all the phases are 1, indicating that this feature is common in all minerals of the group.
According to Donnay & Donnay (1953), in most cases, fluorcarbonates are polycrystals with syntaxial intergrowth of two species in contact along an irregular surface or along repeated parallel planes (0001). All pairs have been observed, except the bastnäsite-synchysite pair.
Van Landuyt & Amelinckx (1975) claim, that the syntactic intergrowths can be described as mixtures of bastnäsite and synchysite. The authors considered bastnäsite-(Ce) and synchysite-(Ce) as two end-members and that parisite and röntgenite are ordered mixtures of bastnäsite (B) and synchysite (S) in single layers stacked along the c crystallographic axis direction. Parisite can be considered a BS stacking and röntgenite a BS2 stacking (Manfredi et al. 2013).
Atomic arrangement of bastnäsite-(Ce), synchysite-(Ce) and parisite-(Ce) projected on (010). Triangles represent (CO3) groups, and O atoms lie at the apices of the triangles. Circles from the largest to the smallest represent F, Ce, and Ca atoms, respectively. The unit cells are outlined.
Additional REE minerals that commonly occur in fluorocarbonate-bearing REE deposits include monazite {REEPO4}, allanite {(Ca,REE)2(Al,Fe,Mg)3Si3012(OH)}, ancylite {REESr(CO3(OH)·H2O}, burbankite {(REE,Na,Ca,Sr,Ba)6(CO3)5}, calkinsite {REE2(CO3)3·4H2O} , lanthanite {REE2(CO3)3·8H2O}, and fluocerite {REEF3}.
Bastnäsite Group minerals
The name came from the type locality at the Bastnäs mines, Riddarhyttan, Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland, Sweden. The most common member of this group is bastnäsite-(Ce). F-enriched species in this group can form in an environment relatively low in F content, whereas OH-species are rare and occur only in low-temperature environments essentially devoid of F (Hsu, 1992).
Complete hexagonal crystal of bastnäsite-(Ce) CeCO3F with inclusions of black aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and yellowish rutile TiO2; Zagi Mountain, Hameed Abad Kafoor Dheri, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; crystal: 11 x 8 x 6 mm
Pseudomorph of yellowish bastnäsite-(Y) YCO3F after gagarinite-(Y) NaCaYF6 crystals in quartz SiO2 core of alkaline granitic pegmatite from type locality; Verkhnee Espe Massif, Akzhaylyautas Mts, Tarbagatai Range, Eastern Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan; 25 x 13 x 8 mm
Honey-orange hexagonal crystal of bastnäsite-(Ce) CeCO3F with sharp faces and good luster associated with a white orthoclase var. adularia KAlSi3O8 crystals; Zagi Mountain, Hameed Abad Kafoor Dheri, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; crystal: 11 x 8 x 6 mm
Bastnäsite-(Ce) Ce(CO3)F in kaolinite Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 (darkest) and muscovite (var. sericite) KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2; Miłków, Jelenia Góra District, Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Poland; SEM-BSE image
Yellowish pseudomorph of bastnäsite-(Y) YCO3F after gagarinite-(Y) NaCaYF6 in quartz core of alkaline granitic pegmatite from type locality; Verkhnee Espe Massif, Akzhaylyautas Mts, Tarbagatai Range, Eastern Kazakhstan Province, Kazakhstan; 25 x 13 x 8 mm
Pinkish to orange balls of Bastnäsite-(Ce) CeCO3F; La Flèche quarry, Bertrix, Luxembourg Province, Belgium; FOV 12 mm
Synchysite Group minerals
Named in 1901 by Gustav Flink from the Greek σύγχΰσις “synchys” for “confounding” in allusion to its initially being mistaken for parisite.
Orange-brown crystal of prismatic synchisite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F on matrix; Wanni glacier – Scherbadung area, Kriegalp Valley, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland; crystal 4 mm long
A prismatic crystal of synchisite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F, orange; Wanni glacier – Scherbadung area, Kriegalp Valley, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland; crystal 4 mm long
Yellowish crystal of synchysite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F on gneiss; Wanni glacier – Scherbadung area, Kriegalp Valley, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland; FOV: 15 mm
Short prismatic and striated cristal of synchysite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F with smoky quartz SiO2 on gneiss; Mt. Cervandone area (Scherbadung; Cherbadung), Devero Alp, Baceno, Devero Valley, Antigorio Valley, Ossola Valley, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy; quartz crystal: 7 mm
Prismatic elongated orange crystal of synchysite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F on gneiss; Wanni glacier – Scherbadung area, Kriegalp Valley, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland; crystal 4 mm long
Synchisite-(Ce) CaCe(CO3)2F crystal with honey color and evident cleavage on gneiss; Mt. Cervandone area (Scherbadung; Cherbadung), Devero Alp, Baceno, Devero Valley, Antigorio Valley, Ossola Valley, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy; crystal about 3 mm
Named after J.J. Paris, former Manager of the Muzo emerald mine, Muzo, Columbia (leasee of mine from 1828-1848).
Very rare; can be distinguished from Synchysite-(Ce) only by analytical methods.
Quite common on the market are pseudomorphs composed of earthy microporous muscovite aggregate with very minor admixture of earthy anatase from Mount Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi, sell as parisite (or pseudomoprhs after parisite). Recent investigation shows, that it is probably pseudomorphose after some silicate minerals (beryl, mylarite, cancrinite or something else).
Nice quality group of slender, deep reddish-brown prismatic parisite-(Ce) CaCe2(CO3)3F2 crystals; Snowbird mine, Fish Creek, Alberton, Mineral Co., Montana, USA; 18 x 10 x 6 mm
Cluster of lustrous, brown, elongated parisite-(Ce) CaCe2(CO3)3F2 crystals; Snowbird mine, Fish Creek, Alberton, Mineral Co., Montana, USA; 18 x 10 x 6 mm
Prismatic and striated pale brown pseudomorph after crystal of parisite-(Ce) CaCe2(CO3)3F2 with yellow-orange zircon ZrSiO4 and colorless quartz SiO2; Mount Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi; 26 x 21 x 13 mm; (two types of visually similar pseudomorphs are known from this locality a) type formed after REE-fluorcarbonates and always contain residual REEs and b) type formed after unknown hexagonal REE-free silicate and replaced by hydromuscovite with rutile admixture; it is rather imposible to recognize which one is this)
Prismatic, striated pseudomorph after parisite-(Ce) CaCe2(CO3)3F2 with yellow-orange zircons ZrSiO4 and colorless quartz SiO2; Mount Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi; 26 x 21 x 13 mm; (two types of visually similar pseudomorphs are known from this locality a) type formed after REE-fluorcarbonates and always contain residual REEs and b) type formed after unknown hexagonal REE-free silicate and replaced by hydromuscovite with rutile admixture; it is rather imposible to recognize which one is this)
The conference was dedicated to the memory of famous Polish geologist, petrographer, and mineralogist Joseph August Morozewicz (1865–1941), who made important contributions to the investigation of alkaline rocks. During the period 1898–1908, Morozewicz carried out investigations in the Azov region. He discovered and described (in papers in German, Polish, and Russian) the alkaline rocks of the Mariupol area, in particular mariupolites, albite–nepheline rocks. He found the new minerals taramite and beckelite (synonym of britholite-(Ce)) and determined a first composition for nepheline, known today as Morozewicz nepheline (Ne68Ks22Q10) [Elements, Vol.5 (6), 2009].
At 1929 Morozewicz published book Mariupolit i jego krewniaki = Mariupolite et ses parents(Mariupolite and its relatives in Polish and French). He described there rocks of the area: mariupolites, foyaites, syenites, pyroxenites, pegmatites and granites.
On the map attached to the book, polish names are present. Mitrowka is called today Dmytriivka, Donske village is located between Sretenka and Apostołowka, near the big, blue spot of mariupolites, Lazarivka is located between Sretenka and Archangiełka, along the stream Lisica (mariupolites with magnetite) and river Wali-Tarama (taramitic foyaites), and Khlebodarivka quarry is located on the left edge of the map (marked with small triangle, left from Archangiełka village).
During the second day of two-day field trip there were another two stops (first day):
Aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)] enriched in Mo mineralization; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; 40 x 35 x 15 mm
Molybdenite MoS2 in aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)]; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; bigger crystal of molybdenite 4 mm
Albitite fragment on the upper part of Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine, field photo
Molybdenite MoS2 in aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)]; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; crystal of molybdenite 2 mm
Brown, lustrous crystal of britholite-(Ce) Ca2(Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) with small, beige zircon crystals ZrSiO4 and black, elongated pyroxene var. aegirine NaFeSi2O6 in marioupolite; Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; britholite crystal 3 mm long
Small pyroxene var. aegirine NaFeSi2O6 ‘suns’ on the surface of mariupolite (aegirine-albite nepheline syenite); Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; 35 x 35 x 15 mm
Blue sodalite (Na,K)AlSiO4, yellow cancrinite (Na,Ca,☐)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2·2H2O and black pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 in nepheline (Na,K)AlSiO4 pegmatie; Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; FOV: 36 mm
Octahedral crystal of zircon Zr(SiO4); Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; crystal about 7 mm
Nepheline (Na,K)AlSiO4 – microcline K(AlSi3O8) pegmatie with blue sodalite (Na,K)AlSiO4, yellow cancrinite (Na,Ca,☐)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2·2H2O and black pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6, field photo; Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine
Octahedral crystal of zircon Zr(SiO4); Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; crystal about 5 mm
References:
Morozewicz J.A. (1929): Mariupolit i jego krewniaki = Mariupolite et ses parents. – Prace Pol. Inst. Geol.: 151 pp.
Kryvdik S.G. (2002): Metallogeny of Alkaline Complexes of the Ukrainian Shield. Mineral. Journ. (Ukraine): 24(2/3): 58-64.
Krivdik S.G., Nivin V.A., Kul’chitskaya A.A., Voznak D.K., Kalinichenko A.M., Zagnitko V.N., Dubyna A.V. (2007): Hydrocarbons and other volatile components in alkaline rocks from the Ukrainian Shield and Kola Penisula. Geochemistry International: 45 (3): 270–294.
Dumańska-Słowik M., Sikorska M., Heflik W. (2011): Dissolved-recrystallized zircon from mariupolite in the Mariupol Massif, Priazovje (SE Ukraine). Acta Geologica Polonica: 61 (3): 277–288.
Dumańska-Słowik, M., Budzyń, B., Heflik, W., Sikorska, M. (2012): Stability relationships of REE-bearing phosphates in an alkali-rich system (nepheline syenite from the Mariupol Massif, SE Ukraine). Acta Geologica Polonica: 62: 247–265.
Ponomarenko A.N, Kryvdik S.G., Grinchenko A.V. (2013): Alkaline rocks of the Ukrainian Shield: Some mineralogical, petrological and geochemical features. Mineralogia: 44 (3-4): 115-124.
Voznyak D.K., Chernysh D.S., Melnikov V.S., Ostapenko S.S. (2013): Baddeleyite segregations in zircon of the Azov zirconium-rare-earth deposit (Ukrainian Shield). Mineralogia: 44 (3-4): 125-131.
Dumańska-Słowik M., Heflik W., Kromska A., Sikorska M. (2015): Sodic fenites of the Oktiabrski Complex exposed in the Khlibodarivka quarry (East Azov, SE Ukraine): reconstruction of their growth history. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh.:275/3: 269–283.
Sharygin, V.V. (2015): Zincian micas from peralkaline phonolites of the Oktyabrsky massif, Azov Sea region, Ukrainian Shield. European Journal of Mineralogy: 27(4): 521-533
Dumańska-Słowik M., Heflik W. (2016): Skały ultrazasadowe i zasadowe z otoczenia mariupolitów występujących w alkalicznym Masywie Oktiabrskim (SE Ukraina) – badania wstępne. Gospodarka surowcami mineralnymi – Mineral resources management: 32 (2), 63–78.
Dumańska-Słowik, M., Pieczka, A., Heflik, W., Sikorska, M. (2016): Cancrinite from nepheline syenite (mariupolite) of the Oktiabrski massif, SE Ukraine, and its growth history. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy: 157: 211-219.
Zirconium is a chemical element with symbol Zr and atomic number 40. The name of zirconium is taken from the name of the mineral zircon, the most important source of zirconium. The word zircon comes from the Persian word zargun زرگون, meaning “gold-colored”.Zirconium is a lustrous, grey-white, strong transition metal that resembles hafnium and, to a lesser extent, titanium.
The principal commercial source of zirconium is zircon [ZrSiO4]. As of 2013, two-thirds of zircon mining occurs in Australia and South Africa. Zircon resources exceed 60 million tonnes worldwide and annual worldwide zirconium production is approximately 900,000 tonnes. Zirconium also occurs in more than 140 other minerals, including the commercially useful ores baddeleyite [ZrO2] and kosnarite [KZr2(PO4)3].
Octahedral crystals of gray yttropyrochlore-(Y) (Y,Ca,U)1-2(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(O,OH)7 and red-brown zircon Zr(SiO4) on granite; South Cheyenne Creek, Cheyenne District (St. Peters Dome District), El Paso Co., Colorado, USA; yttropyrochlore crystal about 7 mm
Octahedral crystal of zircon Zr(SiO4); Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; crystal about 5 mm
Brown, lustrous crystal of britholite-(Ce) Ca2(Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) with small, beige zircon crystals ZrSiO4 and black, elongated pyroxene var. aegirine NaFeSi2O6 in marioupolite; Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; britholite crystal 3 mm long
Large crystal of eudialyte Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3[Si25O73](O,OH,H2O)3(OH,Cl)2 in alkaline rock; Kirovskii apatite mine, Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast’, Northern Region, Russia; crystal about 12 x 7 mm
Yellowish, elongated crystals of zircon Zr(SiO4) within black pyroxene var. aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and beige feldspar var. microcline K(AlSi3O8); Mount Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi; 51 x 44 x 23 mm
Zirconolite CaZrTi2O7 in microcline K(AlSi3O8); Skalna Brama pegmatite, Szklarska Poręba District, Karkonosze Mts (Karkonosze Massif), Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Poland; 12mm (top crystal), 10mm (crystal in the middle), 7mm (bottom crystal)
Octahedral crystal of zircon Zr(SiO4); Donskoy quarry, Mazurovskoe Zr deposit, Oktyabr’skii Massif (Mariupol’skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets’k) Oblast’, Ukraine; crystal about 7 mm
Yellowish, elongated crystals of zircon Zr(SiO4) within black pyroxene var. aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and beige feldspar var. microcline K(AlSi3O8); Mount Malosa, Zomba District, Malawi; zircon crystal: 12 mm long
Single crystal of red-brown lorenzenite Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3 (usually enriched in Zr) with only minor matrix attached; Selsurt Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast’, Northern Region, Russia; 16 x 11 x 5 mm
Eudialyte crystals Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3[Si25O73](O,OH,H2O)3(OH,Cl)2 in alkaline rock; Kirovskii apatite mine, Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast’, Northern Region, Russia; 47 x 39 x 25 mm
Two fragments of crystals of zircons Zr(SiO4); Marabá, Carajás mineral province, Pará, Brazil; bigger crystal about 9 mm
Zircon crystal Zr(SiO4) in albite Na(AlSi3O8); Pegmatite №24, Vavnbed Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast’, Northern Region, Russia; FOV: 25 mm
Zircon crystals Zr(SiO4) in albite Na(AlSi3O8); Pegmatite №24, Vavnbed Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast’, Northern Region, Russia; biggest crystal 5 x 5 mm
The conference was dedicated to the memory of famous Polish geologist, petrographer, and mineralogist 
![Aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)] enriched in Mo mineralization; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr'skii Massif (Mariupol'skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets'k) Oblast', Ukraine; 40 x 35 x 15 mm](https://mineralcollectionblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/fenite-with-molybdenite-dymitriivka.jpg?w=423&resize=423%2C423&h=423#038;h=423&crop=1 "fenite-with-molybdenite-dymitriivka")
![Molybdenite MoS2 in aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)]; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr'skii Massif (Mariupol'skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets'k) Oblast', Ukraine; bigger crystal of molybdenite 4 mm](https://mineralcollectionblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/molybdenite-ukraine-1.jpg?w=209&resize=209%2C210&h=210#038;h=210 "molybdenite-ukraine-1")
![Molybdenite MoS2 in aegerine rich albite-microcline rock [rock containing pink microcline K(AlSi3O8), green pyroxene – aegirine NaFeSi2O6 and white albite Na(AlSi3O8)]; Dmitrievskii quarry, Oktyabr'skii Massif (Mariupol'skii), Azov Sea Region, Donetsk (Donets'k) Oblast', Ukraine; crystal of molybdenite 2 mm](https://mineralcollectionblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/molybdenite-ukraine-2.jpg?w=636&resize=636%2C636&h=636#038;h=636&crop=1 "molybdenite-ukraine-2")
3(OH,Cl)2 in alkaline rock; Kirovskii apatite mine, Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia; crystal about 12 x 7 mm](https://mineralcollectionblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/eudialite-2.jpg?w=210&resize=210%2C209&h=209#038;h=209 "eudialite-2")
3(OH,Cl)2 in alkaline rock; Kirovskii apatite mine, Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia; 47 x 39 x 25 mm](https://mineralcollectionblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/eudialite.jpg?w=156&resize=156%2C156&h=156#038;h=156&crop=1 "eudialite")
mineralcollectionblog 
