Determination of rare earth elements in carbonatites from the Kangankunde Mine, Malawi by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Nine rare earth elements (REEs) in African carbonatite samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The geochemical behavior of REEs in carbonatites, especially REE pattern (chondrite-normalized), is studied in relation to carbonatite formation at the Kangankunde Mine, Malawi. REE-rich phosphate minerals, particularly monazite, and the other unusual minerals such as strontianite, are observed during the stages of carbonatite formation. Four kinds of carbonatites exhibit similar chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns in spite of the marked difference of their REE contents. All these carbonatites are characterized by the strong fractionation between light and heavy REEs and by the very high La/Yb ratio (1000-2800).