What is Monazite?

Monazite is a rare phosphate mineral with a chemical composition of (Ce,La,Nd,Th)(PO4,SiO4). It

usually occurs in small isolated grains, as an accessory mineral in igneous andmetamorphic
rocks such as granite, pegmatite, schist, andgneiss. These grains are resistant to weathering and
become concentrated in soils and sediments downslope from the host rock. When in high enough
concentrations, they are mined for their rare earth and thorium content.

A Mineral or a Mineral Group?

The generic chemical formula for monazite, (Ce,La,Nd,Th)(PO4,SiO4), reveals that cerium,
lanthanum, neodymium, and thorium can substitute for one another in the minerals structure; and,
substitution of silica for phosphate also occurs. Monazite is part of several solid-solution series with
other minerals.

"Monazite" is also the name of a group of monoclinic phosphate and arsenate minerals that share
traits of composition and crystal structure. A list of minerals in the monazite group is provided below.
Note that several varieties of monazite are included.

Monazite Mineral Group

Mineral Chemical Composition

Brabantite CaTh(PO4)2

Cheralite (Ca,Ce,Th)(P,Si)O4

Gasparite-(Ce) (Ce,La,Nd)AsO4

Monazite-(Ce) CePO4

Monazite-(La) LaPO4

Monazite-(Nd) NdPO4

Monazite-(Sm) SmPO4

Rooseveltite BiAsO4

Physical Properties of Monazite

Monazite is a yellowish brown to reddish brown or greenish brown mineral with a resinous to vitreous
luster. It is translucent and rarely seen in large grains or as well-formed crystals. Granular masses are
sometimes seen where monazite is locally abundant. It breaks with good to distinct cleavage.
Its hardness ranges from 5 to 5.5. It has an unusually high specific gravity that ranges from 4.6 to 5.4
depending upon its composition.

Physical Properties of Monazite

Chemical
phosphate
Classification

Color yellowish to reddish brown, greenish

Streak white

Luster resinous, waxy, vitreous

Diaphaneity translucent

Cleavage good to poor

Mohs Hardness 5 to 5.5

4.6 to 5.3 (varies greatly depending upon

Specific Gravity
rare earth type and concentration)

Diagnostic
specific gravity
Properties

Chemical
(Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4
Composition

Crystal System monoclinic

An important source of thorium, cerium, and

Uses other rare elements. Often mined as a
byproduct from heavy mineral deposits.

Geologic Occurrence of Monazite

Monazite is known more for where it accumulates instead of where it forms. It forms during the
crystallization of igneous rocks and during the metamorphism of clastic sedimentary rocks. When
these rocks weather, monazite is one of the more resistant minerals and becomes concentrated in the
weathering debris. The soils and sediments found near a weathering outcrop can have a higher
concentration of monazite than the source rock.

The liberated grains of monazite then begin a journey downslope. Eventually they are brought to a
stream or a dry wash. There, the actions of gravity and running water help the heavy grains of
monazite and other heavy minerals segregate from lighter minerals. They accumulate behind
boulders, on the inside bends of stream channels and work their way down into the lower portions of
the sediment deposit. Some are washed to the sea where they accumulate in deltaic, beach, or
shallow water sediments.

Monazite Mining
All monazite mining is focused on placer deposits because they are easier to mine and the monazite
is often present in higher concentrations than in hard rock deposits. Other heavy minerals that
accumulate with monazite include gold, platinum, magnetite,ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and a variety
of gemstones. The heavy sands recovered are processed to separate these heavy minerals, and the
light fraction is returned to the deposit. Stream sediments, alluvial terraces, beach sediments, beach
terraces, and shallow water sediments have all been dredged for heavy minerals.

Today, most of the world's monazite is produced in the offshore waters of India, Malaysia, Vietnam,
and Brazil. Southern India and Sri Lanka have the most extensive offshore monazite resources
known. Australia was once the world's largest producer of monazite and is thought to have the world's
largest monazite resource. It has not been a significant producer since the 1990s, after public
objection shut down mining on Frasier Island.

Monazite is not currently mined in the United States. In the past it was mined from stream placer
deposits in Idaho. These deposits formed from weathering of the Idaho batholith. Monazite has also
been mined as a byproduct from offshore deposits along the southeast coast of the United States that
span the coast from North Carolina to Florida. Inland and offshore deposits are known to exist in
many states, but they are small, low-grade deposits when compared to what is currently mined in
other countries.