Rare earth elements are concentrated in lunar KREEP terrains. A 2025 USGS report detailed REE distribution on the Moon. While concentrations are lower than terrestrial deposits, the absence of environmental regulations and co-location with other ISRU activities could make lunar REE extraction economically viable.
Formula
(Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO₄ / (Ce,La)(CO₃)F
Crystal System
Monoclinic (monazite); Hexagonal (bastnäsite)
Occurrence
Trace amounts in lunar KREEP terrain; potentially enriched in some asteroid types; found in achondrite meteorites
Significance
Critical for electronics, magnets, and advanced materials; supply chain concerns on Earth; potential high-value space resource
Source
Apollo KREEP sample analysis, lunar orbital spectroscopy, USGS 2025 report