P54. Carbonatites and ores exploitation: a new frontier in geosciences

Carbonatites are considered one of the main natural hosts of critical metals for key economic sectors in heavily industrialized countries, given their great abundance in Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and niobium, essential in high-tech applications. Carbonatite melts are most commonly thought to form either by direct mantle melting or to evolve from carbonate-bearing alkaline silicate melts by immiscibility or fractionation.  However, despite their importance, many aspects of carbonatite petrogenesis and evolution processes is matter of lively debate. 
One of the principal purposes of the scientific community is identify the petrogenetic models of carbonatites, also because they provide meaningful information on the deep geochemical cycle of carbon and mantle metasomatism. Furthermore, it is currently crucial to understand the phenomena that lead to the formation of REE and other critical metals-rich mineralisation. 
This session welcomes review of the updated study and innovative studies that present insights about the multiple processes of interest to carbonatite magmatism and its petrogenesis. Contributions exploring the REE mineralisation processes in terms of puzzling peculiar mineralogical features, exploration, exploitation and recycling of these valuable resources, for a more sustainable high-tech future, are particularly welcomed.