EXTRACTION OF RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS FROM BASTNAESITE CONCENTRATE
Bastnaesite is a natural rare-earth fluorcarbonate of the cerium group that affords an abundant and highgrade source of the lighter rare-earth elements. A simple and efficient method has been developed by the Bureau of Mines for extracting rare-earth compounds from this mineral. Digesting of a flotation concentrate with sulfuric acid converts the rare-earth compounds firm fluorcarbonates to sulfates. Action of the acid releases gaseous compounds of fiuorine and silicon, leaving the sulfated material free of these elements; carbon dioxide from carbonate decomposition is eliminated at the same time. Calcining the sulfated material at 1,200 F renders the gangue constituents insoluble, whereas the rare-earth sulfates are left in watersoluble firm. Leaching with water yields a solution of pure rare-earth sulfates. Bastnaesite could become prominent as a source of ceriuni-group rare-earth elements. It is rich in the light rare-earth elements and comparatively easy to process; reserves of the mineral are extensive enough to supply a greatly expanded market for many years. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-014396
- OSTI ID:
- 4245666
- Report Number(s):
- BM-RI-5474
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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