The study described in this article presents the first systematic geochemical and mineralogical analysis of rare earth element (REE) content in four Slovenian bauxite deposits (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Oligocene) with the aim of understanding their genesis and potential as critical raw materials. Bauxites are the main raw material for aluminum production, and due to their rare earth element content—which is included on the European list of critical raw materials—they also hold strategic importance. The study showed that REE content varies significantly across the profiles: it is lowest in Cretaceous bauxites (average 218 mg/kg) and highest in Jurassic bauxites (average 711 mg/kg). Understanding the genesis of REE minerals and the mechanisms of their transport is important for future studies on how to efficiently extract them from various mineral hosts. This is of critical importance, as rare earth elements are indispensable in high-tech industries—from batteries for electric vehicles and wind turbines to smartphones and medical devices. Therefore, this type of research contributes to greater raw material independence for Europe and the development of sustainable technologies for the future.

Adapted from the article: Lara Mencinger, Miloš Miler, Kristina Ivančič, Klemen Teran, Nina Zupančič, Characterization of Selected Bauxite Profiles in Slovenia with Emphasis on REE Distribution, Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 197, 2026, 107523, ISSN 0169-1368, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2026.107523.