Sahar Raeiszadeh is a PhD candidate at The Australian National University, supervised by Professor John Mavrogenes. Her research focuses on the formation, evolution, and distribution of critical mineral deposits, with a particular emphasis on rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium in carbonatite systems.
Her project investigates REE and niobium mineralisation in carbonatites of the Gascoyne and West Arunta regions of Western Australia. Sahar integrates mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical approaches to evaluate the roles of magmatic and hydrothermal processes in the formation of economically significant Nb–REE deposits.
Sahar’s work is driven by a strong interest in understanding how geochemical and mineralogical processes concentrate metals within the Earth’s crust. She applies a combination of theoretical, experimental, and computational methods to better constrain ore-forming processes and improve interpretations of complex mineral systems.
She holds a Master of Economic Geology from the University of Tehran, where her research focused on the nanomineralogy and occurrence of gold in the Shadan deposit using advanced electron microscopy techniques (SEM and TEM), in collaboration with the University of Manitoba. She also holds a Bachelor of Geology from Shahid Beheshti University, graduating with high academic distinction. Sahar’s research will advance understanding of carbonatite-related metallogenesis and improve exploration targeting for niobium and REE deposits, supporting more efficient and sustainable resource development and strengthening Australia’s role in the global critical minerals sector
