A Mineral Processing Experimental Research On An Ion-absorbed Rare Earth Ore In Southern China

As the symbol of rare earth minerals in our country,the ion-absorbed rare earth ore has been highly concerned at home and abroad,due to its characteristics of rich in medium and heavy rare earth elements.In this paper,the process mineralogy research of ion-absorbed rare earth ore has been studied,on this basis,the experiment s of enriching Y₂O₃ by magnetic separation-flotation were carried out,and then the decomposition of flotation concentrate and leaching solution precipitation process were studied.The results have certain reference value for the development and utilizatio n of the high-Y heavy rare earth ores in southern China.Process mineralogy research showed that the main minerals were quartz,feldspar;secondary minerals were muscovite and magnetite,trace minerals were other minor minerals and rare earth minerals,the y were complex disseminated and had finely disseminated particle size.Heavy rare earth element Y mainly occurred in five kinds of minerals,the ytterbite share was the highest?36.76%?,secondly,xenotime?34.16%?and fergusonite?14.5%?,allanite and epidote also contained trace amounts of Y?12.24%?.Magnetic separation-flotation tests showed that in the grinding fineness of-0.074 mm accounted for 80%,the magnetic field intensity of 120 mT,the Y₂O₃ concentrate grade was 0.093% and its recovery was 99.31%.With sodium carbonate 1500g/t,water glass 550g/t,O-2 350g/t for rough flotation,the acid water glass 200 g/t for fine flotation,the closed flotation circuit test gained Y₂O₃ concentrate with grade of 3.40% and recovery of 63.42%.Under the condition that ore/acid ratio 1:1.2,calcination temperature of 225?,calcination time 105 min,the dosage of NaF 2%,leaching time 4h,leaching temperature 25?,and liquid/solid ratio 8mL/g,the leaching rate of rare earth reached 85.07%.The leaching solution precipitated by ammonium bicarbonate,the grade of the rare earth carbonate products were?Y₂O₃11.98%,REO24.07%?,after calcination at high temperature,the heavy rare earth concentrate grade were?Y₂O₃19.75%,REO39.67%?,the total recovery of beneficiation and metallurgy reached 50.45%.