scholarly journals Characterization and recovery of rare earth elements and other critical metals (Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Sr, and V) from the calcination products of a coal refuse sample

Fuel ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 267 ◽  
pp. 117236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wencai Zhang ◽  
Rick Honaker
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Coal Refuse

scholarly journals Material efficiency: rare and critical metals

2013 ◽  
Vol 371 (1986) ◽  
pp. 20110563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert U. Ayres ◽  
Laura Talens Peiró
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Platinum Group Metals ◽  
Rare Metals ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
The Past ◽  
Material Efficiency ◽  
Aluminium Copper ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Industrial Metals

In the last few decades, progress in electronics, especially, has resulted in important new uses for a number of geologically rare metals, some of which were mere curiosities in the past. Most of them are not mined for their own sake (gold, the platinum group metals and the rare Earth elements are exceptions) but are found mainly in the ores of the major industrial metals, such as aluminium, copper, zinc and nickel. We call these major metals ‘attractors’ and the rare accompanying metals ‘hitch-hikers’. The key implication is that rising prices do not necessarily call forth greater output because that would normally require greater output of the attractor metal. We trace the geological relationships and the functional uses of these metals. Some of these metals appear to be irreplaceable in the sense that there are no known substitutes for them in their current functional uses. Recycling is going to be increasingly important, notwithstanding a number of barriers.

scholarly journals Fractionation Trends and Variability of Rare Earth Elements and Selected Critical Metals in Pelagic Sediment from Abyssal Basin of NE Pacific (Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone)

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Zawadzki ◽  
Łukasz Maciąg ◽  
Tomasz Abramowski ◽  
Kevin McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Fracture Zone ◽  
Grain Size Analysis ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Clipperton Fracture Zone ◽  
Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone

The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of pelagic sediments collected from the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) claim area, located in the eastern part of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ; eastern tropical Pacific), are described in this paper. The concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), as well as other selected critical elements contained in 135 sediment samples of siliceous clayey silts, are presented. The vertical and spatial variabilities of elements, with particular emphasis on REE as well as metals of the highest economic interest such as Cu, Ni, and Co, are detailed. The applied methods include grain size analysis by laser diffraction, geochemistry examination using ICP-MS, XRF, AAS, and CNS spectrometry, and XRD analysis of mineral composition (Rietveld method). Additionally, statistical methods such as factor analysis (FA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were applied to the results. Finally, a series of maps was prepared by geostatistical methods (universal kriging). Grain size analysis showed poor sorting of the examined fine-grained silts. ICP-MS indicated that total REE contents varied from 200 to 577 ppm, with a mean of 285 ppm, which is generally low. The contents of critical metals such as Cu, Ni, and Co were also low to moderate, apart from some individual sampling stations where total contents were 0.15% or more. Metal composition in sediments was dominated by Cu, Ni, and Zn. A mineral composition analysis revealed the dominance of amorphous biogenic opaline silica (27–58%), which were mostly remnants of diatoms, radiolarians, and sponges associated with clay minerals (23% to 48%), mostly Fe-smectite and illite, with mixed-layered illite/smectite. The high abundance of diagenetic barite crystals found in SEM−EDX observations explains the high content of Ba (up to 2.4%). The sediments showed complex lateral and horizontal fractionation trends for REE and critical metals, caused mostly by clay components, early diagenetic processes, admixtures of allogenic detrital minerals, or scavenging by micronodules.

scholarly journals Rare Earth Elements: A brief overview

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Drobniak ◽  
Maria Mastalerz
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
National Security ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The Future ◽  
Modern Technologies

Recent years have witnessed increasing awareness and interest in rare earth elements (REE). These several, usually unfamiliar elements, are key components of countless products used in our daily lives. Because of their use in many modern technologies, including those important for national security, the demand for REE grows, and so does the production, need to find their new sources and improve the extraction. This article provides an overview of REEs, their availability, production, and uses, and briefly discusses the future of these valuable and critical metals.  

scholarly journals Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Bauxitic Ores of the Catalan Coastal Range, NE Spain

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Reinhardt ◽  
Joaquín Proenza ◽  
Cristina Villanova-de-Benavent ◽  
Thomas Aiglsperger ◽  
Telm Bover-Arnal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Major Element Composition ◽  
Precursor Material ◽  
Rare Earth Minerals ◽  
Future Supply ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
Coastal Range ◽  
Ne Spain

Karst bauxite deposits are currently investigated as a new resource for rare earth elements (REE) in order to avoid present and future supply shortfalls of these critical metals. The present work focuses on the geochemistry and mineralogy of the REE in karst bauxite deposits of the Catalan Coastal Range (CCR), NE-Spain. It is revealed that the studied bauxitic ores have a dominant breccia and local ooido-pisoidic and pelitomorphic texture. The bauxitic ores are mostly composed of kaolinite and hematite, as well as of lesser amounts of boehmite, diaspore, rutile and calcite. The mineralogy and major element composition indicate incomplete bauxitization of an argillaceous precursor material possibly derived from the erosion of the Mesozoic Ebro massif paleo-high. The studied bauxites are characterized by ∑REE (including Sc, Y) between 286 and 820 ppm (av. 483 ppm) and light REE to heavy REE (LREE/HREE) ratios up to 10.6. REE are mainly concentrated in phosphate minerals, identified as monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) of detrital origin and unidentified REE-phosphates of a possible authigenic origin. REE remobilization presumably took place under acidic conditions, whereas REE entrapment in the form of precipitation of authigenic rare earth minerals from percolating solutions was related to neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. During the bauxitization process no significant REE fractionation took place and the REE distribution pattern of the bauxitic ores was governed by the REE budget of the precursor material. Finally, adsorption as a main REE scavenging mechanism in the studied CCR bauxite deposits should not be considered, since the presented data did not reveal significant REE contents in Fe-and Mn-oxyhydroxides and clay minerals.

scholarly journals Valorization of Rare Earth Elements from a Steenstrupine Concentrate Via a Combined Hydrometallurgical and Pyrometallurgical Method

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunbo Yun ◽  
Srecko Stopic ◽  
Bernd Friedrich
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Silica Gel ◽  
Rare Earth Oxide ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Gel Formation ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
New Research

Due to their unique characteristics, Lanthanides series (15 elements) together with scandium and yttrium are used as critical metals in numerous applications such as energy sources, catalysts, hybrid cars, medical technology, and military industry. The significance of rare earth elements has been continuously increasing because the global demand for producing high-tech devices is continuously rising. The recovery of rare earth oxide from concentrate based on eudialyte and steenstrupine was performed using a hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical method. Eudialyte and steenstrupine are a complex Na-Ca-zirconosilicate mineral containing rare earth elements (REEs), Zr, Hf and Nb, thus serving as a potential source of Zr. Because of the presence of silica in eudialyte, the main challenge in its processing is avoiding silica gel formation, which is an unfilterable solid residue. The influence of leaching temperature, time and solid–liquid ratio on leaching efficiency was studied in laboratory conditions. A new research strategy was developed in order to recover rare earth elements using hydrochloric acid, avoiding silica gel formation.

scholarly journals Carbonatite-Related REE Deposits: An Overview

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 965
Author(s):  
Zhen-Yu Wang ◽  
Hong-Rui Fan ◽  
Lingli Zhou ◽  
Kui-Feng Yang ◽  
Hai-Dong She
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Fractional Crystallization ◽  
Hydrothermal System ◽  
Experimental Petrology ◽  
Evolution Process ◽  
Primitive Mantle ◽  
Carbonate Minerals ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Carbonatite Magma

The rare earth elements (REEs) have unique and diverse properties that make them function as an “industrial vitamin” and thus, many countries consider them as strategically important resources. China, responsible for more than 60% of the world’s REE production, is one of the REE-rich countries in the world. Most REE (especially light rare earth elements (LREE)) deposits are closely related to carbonatite in China. Such a type of deposit may also contain appreciable amounts of industrially critical metals, such as Nb, Th and Sc. According to the genesis, the carbonatite-related REE deposits can be divided into three types: primary magmatic type, hydrothermal type and carbonatite weathering-crust type. This paper provides an overview of the carbonatite-related endogenetic REE deposits, i.e., primary magmatic type and hydrothermal type. The carbonatite-related endogenetic REE deposits are mainly distributed in continental margin depression or rift belts, e.g., Bayan Obo REE-Nb-Fe deposit, and orogenic belts on the margin of craton such as the Miaoya Nb-REE deposit. The genesis of carbonatite-related endogenetic REE deposits is still debated. It is generally believed that the carbonatite magma is originated from the low-degree partial melting of the mantle. During the evolution process, the carbonatite rocks or dykes rich in REE were formed through the immiscibility of carbonate-silicate magma and fractional crystallization of carbonate minerals from carbonatite magma. The ore-forming elements are mainly sourced from primitive mantle, with possible contribution of crustal materials that carry a large amount of REE. In the magmatic-hydrothermal system, REEs migrate in the form of complexes, and precipitate corresponding to changes of temperature, pressure, pH and composition of the fluids. A simple magmatic evolution process cannot ensure massive enrichment of REE to economic values. Fractional crystallization of carbonate minerals and immiscibility of melts and hydrothermal fluids in the hydrothermal evolution stage play an important role in upgrading the REE mineralization. Future work of experimental petrology will be fundamental to understand the partitioning behaviors of REE in magmatic-hydrothermal system through simulation of the metallogenic geological environment. Applying “comparative metallogeny” methods to investigate both REE fertile and barren carbonatites will enhance the understanding of factors controlling the fertility.

scholarly journals Critical Minerals from Post-Processing Tailing. A Case Study from Bangka Island, Indonesia

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Karol Zglinicki ◽  
Krzysztof Szamałek ◽  
Stanisław Wołkowicz
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Mass Spectrometers ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Elements ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Critical Raw Materials

The growing demand for critical raw materials (rare earth elements—REE, Nb, Ta, and others) enforces a need to look for their alternative sources. Distortions of the mineral supply chain caused by COVID-19 have necessitated a re-evaluation of what exists as mining waste from previous exploitation. Consequently, this study aims to provide an inventory of raw materials on the Indonesian Tin Islands (Bangka and Belitung). Geological and mineralogical examinations on Bangka have permitted an economic appraisal of tailings from the processing of cassiterite-bearing sands and confirmed the presence of REE-bearing minerals, chiefly monazite and xenotime, zircon, ilmenite, rutile, niobium-tantalum phases. In general, the mineral content of the tailings varies depending on the sampling site and the type of processing used during ore-production. ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometers) analyses revealed anomalous concentrations of LREE (light rare earth elements): La > 5%, Ce > 5%, Pr > 1%, Nd > 1%, Sm > 1% and HREE+Y (heavy rare earth elements and yttrium) up to 2.51 wt%. High values have been found for the “most critical” metals of the HREE group: Dy (up to 0.34 wt%), Tb (up to 0.08 wt%), Eu (up to 61.8 ppm), Nd (>1.0 wt%), and Y (up to 1.20 wt%). In addition, the following contents have been defined: Ga (to 0.03 wt%); Hf (to 0.64 wt%); Ta (to 0.08 wt%); Nb (to 0.23 wt%); W (to 0.14 wt%); Zr (>5.0 wt%); and Sc (to 0.01 wt%). Such high concentrations suggest the tailing dumps to be a potential new source of “critical raw materials”.

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