Metals of the lanthanide group in the periodic table, as well as yttrium and scandium elements added to this group by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (iupac) (Balaram, V. 2019). Furthermore

Islom Murodov
May 23, 2022
Sample Assignment: Self-editing (expert)

EXTRACTION OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS FROM LOW-GRADE SEDIMENTARY PHOSPHATES

Rare earth elements (REE) consist of 15 metals of the lanthanide group in the periodic table, as well as yttrium and scandium elements added to this group by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) (Balaram, V. 2019). Furthermore, the rocketing demand of electronic technology and green battery fields, which are an integral part of modern life, is the main cause of the shrinking of the primary, easy-processing REE resources in the last decade. The REE content in the sedimentary phosphate rock is around 0.04-0.08%, and the global consumption of phosphate rocks is 250 mln.t, due to these reasons this rock is considered the potential secondary minerals resource promising 125 kt/year REE production (S.M. Jasinski, et all., 2017).
The extraction of REEs requires to get rid of a considerable amount of gangue minerals, as well as slime, that is extremely fine particles, placed in the low-grade phosphate rocks. In addition, the specific gravities and magnetic features of the gangue minerals that mostly occurred as carbonate minerals are similar to the vital phosphate mineral apatite containing REE. Therefore, applying one stage direct or two-stage reverse flotation for removal of carbonate minerals and obtaining high purity apatite concentrate without losing REE as a tail or slime is considered one of the most promising potential enrichment methods. Thus, further scientific investigation through my PhD research project should be carried out to identify the optimal level of each gravitational, hydrophobic and hydrometallurgical parameter and the results of imposing flotation on the extraction process of the REE industry.

1. Balaram, V. (2019). Rare earth elements: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact. Geoscience Frontiers, 10(4), 1285–1303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.12.005.

2. S.M. Jasinski. (2017). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2017, Phosphate Rock, US Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, 124–125.