30. What are carbonatites anyway?

Carbonatites are controversial rocks that are associated with a diverse range of commodities, such as niobium, phosphate, copper, and light rare earth elements (LREE). This week we dive into some of the latest thinking about carbonatite genesis and ore forming processes, and consider the challenges involved in characterizing and producing these complex ore bodies. First off, Emma Humphreys-Williams from the Natural History Museum, UK, explains how, when and where carbonatites form in t...