| Title: | Characterisation of selected bauxite profiles in Slovenia with emphasis on REE distribution |
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| Authors: | ID Mencinger, Lara (Author)
ID Miler, Miloš (Author)
ID Ivančič, Kristina (Author)
ID Teran, Klemen (Author)
ID Zupančič, Nina (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (27,45 MB)
MD5: BBB2C2F91C4D2A0394DD5151FA568D31
 DOCX - Supplement, download (3,52 MB)
MD5: C76552E3298D6B20B070A016B0D04C75
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  GeoZS - Geological Survey of Slovenia
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| Abstract: | Bauxites are the primary mineral resource for alumina and aluminium production. Recently, there has been growing interest in the chemical characterisation of bauxite, as it is listed as a critical raw material (CRM) by the European Union and can contain elevated content of rare earth elements (REE), which are also listed as CRM. This research focuses on the REE content and distribution across profiles of four Slovenian bauxite occurrences of different ages (Triassic T32+3, Jurassic J31,2, Cretaceous K22,3 and Oligocene Ol2) and their implications for potential genesis. General mineral composition analysed by XRD showed a prevalence of böhmite and kaolinite in all samples except Ol2, where diaspore is the main Al-hydroxide. Minor minerals include hematite, quartz, and anatase. Geochemical ICP-MS analysis showed the lowest REE content in Cretaceous bauxites (average 218 mg/kg) and the highest in Jurassic bauxites (average 711 mg/kg). SEM/EDS inspection revealed different carriers of REE. The main carriers of REEs in all profiles are mostly detrital, with some individual secondary authigenic xenotime, secondary authigenic cerianite (Ce) (T32+3, J31,2), calcioancylite (Nd) or cerianite (Ce) without Th (J31,2, Ol2), lanthanite (Ce) and (Nd). Relatively low P2O5 indicates dispersion of REEs throughout a profile and their adsorption onto Al/Fe oxides and hydroxides and clay minerals. The T32+3, J31,2 and K22,3 bauxites show a changing Eh-pH environment, which supports their categorisation as vadose bauxites, while the Ol2 profile is phreatic bauxite where redox conditions prevailed. |
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| Keywords: | bauxites, mineral resources, ore deposits, rare earth elements |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 24.08.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 21 str. |
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| Numbering: | vol. 197, [article no.] 107523 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-32149  |
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| UDC: | 553 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1872-7360 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2026.107523 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 289117443 |
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 28.08.2026 |
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| Views: | 76 |
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| Downloads: | 52 |
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