The Nanling region is located at the intersection of the Yangtze Block and Cathaysia Block and is characterized by complex geological and tectonic processes, as well as distinct W-Sn-REE mineralization. Despite extensive research on the mineralization of W-Sn and REE deposits in the Nanling region, the factors impacting the distribution pattern of eastern tungsten and western tin deposits, as well as the mechanism of REE enrichment in the parent rocks, remain uncertain. Deep structural and tectonic variability plays a crucial role in the formation of mineral deposits in the upper crust. Information on deep structural and tectonic variability is contained in the Moho depth, Curie depth, effective elastic thickness, lithospheric density, and thermal structure derived from the processing and inversion of satellite gravity and magnetic data. In this paper, we comprehensively analyse satellite gravity and magnetic data from the Nanling region, integrating the processing and inversion results with the tectonic evolution of this region and relevant geological information. It is hypothesized that the Chenzhou–Linwu fault serves as a channel for mineral and thermal transfer in the Sn ore aggregation zone, facilitating the material transport from the deep mantle to the surface and ultimately leading to the formation of Sn-enriched granite. The collection area of tungsten ore is more weakly associated with the Chenzhou–Linwu fault, and through deep heat transfer, tungsten components are primarily concentrated in the Earth’s crust to produce W-enriched granite. The primary source of REE enrichment in the parent rocks associated with REE mineralization is predominantly derived from the felsic crust, and the rapid intrusion of deep magma resulting from the subduction and retraction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate is a contributing factor to the contrasting enrichment of light and heavy rare-earth elements. Mineral crystalline differentiation is relatively high, leading to the formation of ore-forming parent rocks with high heavy rare-earth element contents.

Water quality strongly impacts human health and plays an irreplaceable role in mining areas. This study adopted multiple assessment techniques to elucidate the hydro-chemical processes controlling the solutes in the water and to evaluate the quality of the water and its human health risks in an abandoned rare earth mine in Jiangxi province, China. The results showed that the water samples were unsuitable for drinking while the Water Quality Index (WQI) ranged from 757 to 5621 and might cause a potential salinity hazard for irrigation because the electrical conductivity (EC) was high at 4103.4 μS/cm. All water samples were of the Ca·Mg-SO₄·Cl type, which was predominant in Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The water quality is polluted by the following parameters: SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, F⁻, Al, Pb, Cd, and Ni. Health risk assessment results showed that 100% of the water samples have a high non-carcinogenic risk for both adults and children. The rock weathering and mineral dissolution enhanced by mining activities were the dominant processes controlling the solute geochemistry of water in the study area. This study is helpful to the decision-makers for the sustainable development and utilization of rare earth mining areas.

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water in rural areas all over the world. Twenty-one water quality parameters of fifteen drinking wells were studied in a rural area of Ganzhou (South China). The groundwater is dominated by Ca·Mg-HCO₃ type, and the Water Quality Index (WQI) ranges from 12.1 to 283.1. The concentrations of groundwater solutes are generally very low, except for Na⁺, Al, Fe, Mn, and arsenic (As) are up to 232.0, 3.22, 1.25, 0.013 mg/L, respectively, which exceeding the drinking standards at several wells. The relatively high As content in groundwater might cause a mean Carcinogenic Risk (CR = 2.08 × 10⁻⁴) to the local people. The mathematical model predicted that the rare earth mining activities would cause a NH₄⁺ pollution (concentrations up to 69.9 mg/L) transported at a speed of 200 m per year in the groundwater, resulting in a maximum increase in WQI of 418.9 and 533.2, and in Hazard Quotient (HQ) of 1.04 and 1.32 for the children, at the drinking wells located 1059 m and 6344 m downstream the mining area, respectively. This study is a warning to the local policymakers about the development of green mining technology and effective monitoring and emergency plans for drinking groundwater.