Light Rare Earths (LREE)

The more abundant rare earths — lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium.

Definition

The lighter elements in the rare earth series, including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, and samarium. LREEs are more abundant than heavy rare earths but still economically important, particularly neodymium and praseodymium for permanent magnets.

Where people go wrong

Lanthanum and cerium are abundant to the point of oversupply, so a high TREO grade built on them is worth much less per tonne than the number suggests. The value inside the light group is neodymium and praseodymium.

See also

  • Heavy Rare Earths (HREE) The heavier elements in the rare earth series, including europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, e
  • NdPr Oxide A combined rare earth product containing neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and praseodymium oxide (Pr2O3), the two most
  • TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxides) The sum of all rare earth element oxides in a mineral deposit, typically expressed as a grade percentage or pa
  • Magnetic Rare Earths Rare earth elements used in permanent magnet production, primarily neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and te

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