Satpaev Institute of Geological Sciences, Almaty, Kazakhstan:

N. I. Stepanenko, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Satpaev Kazakh National Research Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan:
K. Sh. Dyusembaeva, Associate Professor, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences
L. D. Isaeva, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Kazakhstan is one of the big members of the CIS countries having bright prospects to develop the industry specializing in rare-earth metals and rare-earth elements. The creation and advancement of such industry is backed with the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of the promising and relatively new commercial-level genetic type of rare-earth metals (REM) in Kazakhstan is the weathering mantle. A major representative of this type is Kundybay rareearths (RE), which may become the national source of REM. Judging from the material constitution of the deposit, its geological structure and geotechnical simplicity, the deposit has no parallel for the mining industry. A feature of Kundybay is the content of medium and heavy lanthanides which are meagerly available at the other known deposits, are in great demand and stand high in the world market. Rare earths are associated with the loose clayey rocks in the weathering mantle and are adsorbed on supergene colloidal minerals – kaolinite, ferric hydroxides, etc. The highest concentrations of REM are nearby the zone of structural kaolinites, particularly at its lower part. The basic mineral forms are churchite, yttrorhabdophanite, neodymium bastnasite, and parasite. Relic endogenous rock-forming minerals (garnet, apatite, orthite, etc.) also contain recoverable rare earths. The 3D modeling illustrates RE distribution in four ore deposits in the weathering mantle. There is no specific pattern in vertical and horizontal variation in the contents of yttrium oxide and rare earths within the deposit, though it is observed inside individual mineral bodies.

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