Processing

Processing Rare Earth Ores

Xstrata Process Support
Falconbridge, Ontario
 Process Scoping Studies for New Rare Earth Deposits

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Defining the Ore Scoping Major Process Report on Amenability
Alternatives to Processing

• Mineralogy • Gravity separation • Indicated recovery

• Grain size • High intensity potential
• REO deportment magnetic • Roadmap for flow
separation sheet development
• Flotation
• Direct leaching

Typical sample requirements: ~70-

~70-150kg of representative drill core

Step 1: Defining the ore

High confidence whole-rock head analysis

Modal mineralogy of REO’s
• QEMSCAN quantitative mineralogy
• Microprobe analysis of mineral phases for REO
content
• REO deportment by element and mineral phase
• Mineralogy reconciliation to the head analysis

In-situ grain size:
• Liberation size
• Amenability to gravity separation

QEMSCAN Images Showing Mineralogy of a

Monazite Ore

Mineral Name
Biotite
Mn Fe Silicate
Mn Magnetite
Apatite
Monazite
Polished Section for QEMSCAN Analysis
 Step 2: Scoping major process alternatives

Gravity Separation

Size > 50 μm with SG difference > 1

Amenability assessed from modal mineralogy and by
direct testing
• Superpanner
• Holman Table
• Knelson Centrifugal Bowl
Haultain Superpanner

Magnetic Separation (including HGMS)

Particle sizes down to ~25 μm for magnetic or
paramagnetic minerals

Separability assessed by laboratory testing
• Frantz Isodynamic Magnetic Separator
• Davis Tube
• High Intensity Rolls
Rare Earth Roll – Lab Unit

Rougher Froth Flotation

All particle sizes, although desliming (< 5 μm) sometimes required

Several rougher chemistries available
• Rougher tests give “indicated recovery potential”
• Final product grades are typically not achieved without more
extensive development of flowsheet and chemistry.
Leaching

Sulfuric and hydrochloric leaching
• Assess acid consumption and REO extraction
Batch Flotation • Assess filterability

Step 3: Report on amenability to processing

Assessment of the indicated recovery potential.

Roadmap for flow sheet development
• Basic process layout (most probable process elements)
• Significant risks or process gaps

Inquire for cost quotation. Typical cost of program $60-120K (Can.)

 Name Class Chemical Formula REO% S.G. Hardness
Allanite Sorosilicate (Ca,Ce,La,Y)2(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH) 33% 3.81 5.5-6
Anatase Oxide TiO2 - 3.90 5.5-6
Apatite Phosphate Ca5(PO4)3(Cl,F,OH) - 3.19 5
Bastnasite Fluocarbonate (Ce,La,Y)(CO3)F 72% 4.96 4-5
Catapleiite Cyclosilicate (Ca,Na)2ZrSi3O9•2(H2O) - 2.75 6
Columbite Niobate (Fe2+,Mg,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 - 5.54 6-6.5
Crandallite Phosphate CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5•(H2O) - 2.84 4
Na15(Ca,Ce)6(Fe2+,Mn2+,Y)3Zr3[Si25O73]
Eudialyte Nesosilicate <10% 2.90 5-5.5
(O,OH,H2O)3(Cl,OH)2
Euxenite Niobate (Ca,Ce,Th,U,Y)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 24% 4.84 6.5
Fergusonite Niobate (Ce,La,Y)NbO4 50% 5.21 5.5-6.5
Florencite Phosphate (Ce,La,Nd)Al3(PO4)2(OH)6 32% 3.54 5-6
Monazite Phosphate (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4 65% 5.15 5-5.5
Pectolite Inosilicate NaCa2Si3O8(OH) - 2.86 5
Perovskite Titanate CaTiO3 - 4.00 5.5
Polycrase Niobate (Ca,Ce,Th,U,Y)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 20% 5.00 5-6
Pyrochlore Niobate (Ca,Na)2Nb2O6(F,OH) - 5.30 5-5.5
Sphene Nesosilicate CaTiSiO5 minor 3.48 5-5.5
Svanbergite Phosphate SrAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 - 3.22 5
Synchysite Fluocarbonate Ca(Ce,Nd,Y)(CO3)2F 49% 4.07 4.5-6.5
Tantalite Niobate (Fe2+,Mg,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 - 7.67 5.5-6.5
Thorite Nesosilicate (Th,U)SiO4 - 5.35 5
Xenotime Phosphate (Y,Yb)PO4 68% 4.75 4-5
Zircon Nesosilicate ZrSiO4 minor 4.65 7.5

XPS is a licensed provider of metallurgical engineering, technology, and test services for the global mining industry,
operating from Falconbridge, Ontario, Canada.

XPS Process Mineralogy has a blend of skilled and experienced mineral processing and mineral science personnel who use
mineral processing, quantitative mineralogy, sampling and statistical methods to meet the strategic short- and long-term
needs of the mining industry.

Xstrata Process Support

6 Edison Rd., Falconbridge, ON, Canada, P0M 1S0
Tel: 705-699-3400, Fax: 705-699-3431
Web site: www.myxps.ca

Gregg S. Hill, PhD

Manager – Process Mineralogy
ghill@xstrataps.ca