Analyses of archive rock and soil samples from the Mushgai Khudug (Mongolia), Dalucao, Miaoya and Lizhuang (China) rare earth element deposits. Data characterise mineralogy, bulk rock geochemistry and sequential leaching experiments on laterite, weathered rock and soil overlying carbonatite related REE deposits. The data was collected to determine enrichment and depletion of the REE relative to bedrock, the mineral host of REE and the ease of extraction.