Extension of Zr-REE-Nb resources at Kangerdluarssuk, Ilímaussaq intrusion

Abstract

The high contents of zirconium in many rocks and minerals of the Ilimaussaq alkaline intrusion have been known for over 150 years. The early geologists were particularly attracted by the red kakortokites of Kangerdluarssuk with their high contents of eudialyte, (Na, Ca)5(Zr, Fe3)(Si6O18)(OH, Cl). Bohse et al. (1971) concluded from field and laboratory studies that the kakortokites (here, the lower layered kakortokites) as a whole possess a geometric mean ZrO2 content of 1.2% with reserves of 51.6 million tons ZrO2.