Rare Earth Element Geochemistry and Abundances in Syenites and Charnockitic Rocks of Selected Locations within Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Rare earth elements (REE) are critical metals widely used in modern technology. There is an increased demand for these which has necessitated additional exploration. The REE geochemistry of syenites and charnockitic rocks from selected locations within southwestern Nigeria were studied to determine their concentrations, distribution patterns, mineralisation potential deduce if they can be economically exploited. Mineralogical studies carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ten rock samples including five charnockites analysed elemental composition inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). REE-bearing minerals identified the SEM analysis include apatite monazite. fractionation ratio (La/Yb) N ranged 29.36 48.75 24.43 48.29 charnockites, indicating magmatic differentiation. Total (∑REE) (342–675 ppm) (220–802 suggests that enriched with respect but concentration study area had very low ∑REE compared contents where have been mined may therefore not viable.