Rare Earth Elements on the Moon
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- Document: Report (9.7 MB pdf)
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Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a scarce but vital resource for our modern economies and lifestyles. Since the late 1990s, China has supplied the vast majority of the world’s refined REEs. Increasing global demand has broadened the search for REE deposits to unconventional places, including the Moon. Although most lunar rocks have very low REE concentrations, Apollo samples showed that one type of lunar rock containing potassium (K), REEs, and phosphorus (P)—known by the acronym KREEP—has high concentrations of REEs. Data from orbiting satellites have identified locations where substantial deposits of KREEP are likely. The viability of mining these deposits depends on the evolution of REE economics, the development of the Earth-Moon infrastructure, and the findings from future lunar mineral exploration missions.
Suggested Citation
Keszthelyi, L.P., Coyan, J.A., Pigue, L.M., Bennett, K.A., and Gabriel, T.S.J., 2025, Rare earth elements on the Moon: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2025-3049, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20253049.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Rare earth elements on the Moon |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2025-3049 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20253049 |
| Publication Date | November 20, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Other Geospatial | the Moon |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |