History · Geology
About Bayan Obo Mine
Bayan Obo is the world's largest rare-earth element (REE) deposit and one of the most important mineral localities in modern China. Set in the Inner Mongolian steppe, it is the type-locality for several REE minerals and the source of much of the global supply of cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium.
Mining History
Discovered in 1927 and developed industrially from the 1950s, Bayan Obo grew through Soviet-era cooperation into the world's leading REE producer. It currently supplies an estimated 38-50% of global REE demand. Specimen-grade material reaches the international market sporadically through institutional channels.
Signature Specimens
Aegirine-bearing dolomite carbonatite hosts a remarkable mineral inventory: bastnaesite, monazite, parisite, fluorapatite, and rare REE phosphates. Specimen quality is uneven – the deposit is industrial-first – but type material from named pockets is highly sought.
Minerals Produced Here
- Bastnäsite (氟碳铈矿)
- Mimetite (砷铅矿)
- Monazite (独居石)
- Xenotime (磷钇矿)
