in the ion-type RE deposite in South China, the host rocks of REE minerals are igneous and metamorphic rocks , such as granite,
granite-porphyry, granitite, muscovite granite, granodiorite, rhyolite, tuff, lamprophyre, alkaline rocks, granite-gneiss, stuff, gneissic granite.These various types of rocks occurred in the environment of humid subtropical zone with a specific topographic relief. During a long-term geological process, they were weathered and alterated into montmorillonite, gibbstite, vermiculite and the dioctahedral type of
clay minerals, such as kaolinite,
halloysite-0. 7 nm , halloysite-1. 0 nm and ferrohalloysite. All of these clay minerals are the REE carriers. The REE in the ion-type RE deposits came from there source: 1) the REE -bearing rock-forming minerals in host rock, such as microcline and amphibole:2) the accessory minerals in host rocks, such as allanite, gadolinite-(Y), sphene , parisite-(Y), and fergusonite-(Y). For a long geological time the weathering and leaching processes caused the minerals to be disintegrated and to free REE ions. The REE cations can be adsorbed on various clay minerals associated. The categories of ion -type RE deposite depend on the species of RE minerals and the lithological characters of the host geological body in the ore deposit area.