Multiple pulses of fluids involved in the formation of carbonatite-related REE deposits as revealed by fluorite

•Textural features, in situ trace elements and fluid inclusion of fluorite are studied.•A coupled dissolution-reprecipitation replacement process is proposed.•Fluorite acts as an indicator of carbonatite-related REE deposit.•Multiple pulses of fluids during formation of the Muluozhai deposit were recorded in fluorite.