The name of the new mineral is IMA2022-120, known as yuchuanite-(Y) in English, Yuchuan yttrium ore in Chinese, and Ych-(Y) in Chinese. The new mineral is named after Chen Yuchuan, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, who is a famous mineral deposit geology and mineral exploration scientist in China.
The preliminary study shows that Yushuite heavy rare earth minerals were formed in the Late Triassic (223Ma), which is the first recognized Triassic heavy rare earth mineralization in South China. Mineralogical and Nd isotope studies indicate that the formation may be related to the basin brine, and the heavy rare earths come from the red sandstone below. The discovery of several new heavy rare earth minerals in Yushui Copper Mine not only provides important enlightenment for the development of new types of heavy rare earth mineralization, but also provides important support for the development of new prospecting direction of heavy rare earth in South China.
Dr. Yao Wei, Department of Geology, Northwest University, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics (Senior Engineer, Xi 'an Mineral Resources Survey Center), Engineer Yang Wenqiang and collaborators Prof. Li Guo-wu, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Dr. Sun Ningyue, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and Nigel, University of Adelaide, Australia Professor Cook and Associate Professor Song Wenlei from Northwest University participated in this work. The composition and crystal structure of the new mineral were determined with the help of Professor Wenlan Zhang from Nanjing University, Senior Engineer Ting Li and Dr. Tao Wang from Beijing Institute of Geology of Nuclear Industry.
