Technology development for recovery of individual rare earth elements at high purity from Dong-Pao rare earth concentrated ore of Vietnam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoang Nhuan; Le Ba Thuan; Luu Xuan Dinh; Tran Hoang Mai; Tran Thi Hong Thai; Yoshiuyki Aiba; Hiroaki Nishimura

2015-01-01

In this work, the research results on RE processing process at laboratory scale and pilot scale was reported and discussed. Experimental research on thermal decomposition and sulfate process of bastnaesite ore with sulfuric acid in electric furnace was carried out, the different roasting conditions, mass transfer rate, reactions and RE and/or non-RE behaviors during roasting and leaching were investigated. The roasting temperatures were 450"oC and 550"oC. With higher roasting temperature and longer roasting time, the RE recovery yield reduced. The RE recovery yield reached the highest (over 94%) at roasting temperature of 550"oC for 2 hrs. The different extracting conditions for separation of REEs were investigated in laboratory scale as well as pilot scale. At pilot scale, the separation of REEs was performed on 120-stage extraction system produced by Japan, using PC88A solvent dissolved in IP2028. The volume of each stage was 20 L. The results showed that REEs were separated from RE resource of Vietnam and individual RE elements such as La, Ce, Pr, and Nd were obtained at high purity. The parameters for each extraction stage were reported in this work. The results indicated that in order to obtain highly purified Nd (>99%), it needs to use an extraction system with higher stage number, about 200 stages. The extraction data at pilot scale of this investigation was used as basic data for calculating parameters for extraction system in industrial scale. (author)

Decoupling of Mg-C and Sr-Nd-O isotopes traces the role of recycled carbon in magnesiocarbonatites from the Tarim Large Igneous Province

Science.gov (United States)

Cheng, Zhiguo; Zhang, Zhaochong; Hou, Tong; Santosh, M.; Chen, Lili; Ke, Shan; Xu, Lijuan

2017-04-01

The Tarim Large Igneous Province in NW China hosts numerous magmatic carbonatite dikes along its northern margin. The carbonatites are composed mainly of dolomite (90 vol.%) and minor calcite (5 vol.%), with apatite, barite, celestine, aegirine, monazite and bastnaesite as accessory minerals. The rocks correspond to magnesiocarbonatites with a compositional range of 13.73-19.59 wt.% MgO, and 20.03-30.11 wt.% CaO, along with 1.65-3.31 wt.% total Fe2O3, 0.02-2.39 wt.% SiO2 and other minor elements, such as P2O5, Na2O and K2O. These magnesiocarbonatites are characterized by extreme enrichment in incompatible elements with high total rare earth element (REE) contents of 372-36965 ppm. The strontium [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70378-0.70386], neodymium [εNd(t) = +2.51 - +3.59] and oxygen (δ18OV-SMOW = 5.9‰-8.0‰) isotope values of these rocks are consistent with a mantle origin, whereas the magnesium (δ26Mg = -1.09‰ to -0.85‰) and carbon (δ13CV-PDB = -4.1‰ to -5.9‰) isotopes are decoupled from mantle values and reflect signature of recycled sedimentary carbonates. Global plate tectonic models predict that sedimentary carbonates in convergent margins are subducted to deep domains in the mantle, with phase transitions from calcite/dolomite to magnesite, and eventually to periclase/perovskite. The involvement of a mantle plume enhances the normal mantle geotherms and promotes decomposition reactions of magnesite. The decoupling of Mg-C and Sr-Nd-O isotopes in the mangesiocarbonatites provides insights on the origin of carbonatites, and also illustrates a case of interaction between mantle plume and subduction-related components.

Host-rock controlled epigenetic, hydrothermal metasomatic origin of the Bayan Obo REEFe-Nb ore deposit, Inner Mongolia, P.R.C.

Science.gov (United States)

Chao, E.C.T.; Back, J.M.; Minkin, J.A.; Yinchen, R.

1992-01-01

Bayan Obo, a complex rare earth element (REE)FeNb ore deposit, located in Inner Mongolia, P.R.C. is the world's largest known REE deposit. The deposit is chiefly in a marble unit (H8), but extends into an overlying unit of black shale, slate and schist unit (H9), both of which are in the upper part of the Middle Proterozoic Bayan Obo Group. Based on sedimentary structures, the presence of detrital quartz and algal fossil remains, and the 16-km long geographic extent, the H8 marble is a sedimentary deposit, and not a carbonatite of magmatic origin, as proposed by some previous investigators. The unit was weakly regionally metamorphosed (most probably the lower part of the green schist facies) into marble and quartzite prior to mineralization. Tectonically, the deposit is located on the northern flank of the Sino-Korean craton. Many hypotheses have been proposed for the origin of the Bayan Obo deposit; the studies reported here support an epigenetic, hydrothermal, metasomatic origin. Such an origin is supported by field and laboratory textural evidence; 232Th/208Pb internal isochron mineral ages of selected monazite and bastnaesite samples; 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating minimum mineral ages of selected alkali amphiboles; chemical compositions of different generations of both REE ore minerals and alkali amphiboles; and evidence of host-rock influence on the various types of Bayan Obo ores. The internal isochron ages of the REE minerals indicate Caledonian ages for various episodes of REE and Fe mineralization. No evidence was found to indicate a genetic relation between the extensive biotite granitic rocks of Hercynian age in the mine region and the Bayan Obo are deposit, as suggested by previous workers. ?? 1992.

Rare earth minerals and resources in the world

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kanazawa, Yasuo [Human Resource Department, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8568 (Japan)]. E-mail: y.kanazawa@aist.go.jp; Kamitani, Masaharu [Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8567 (Japan)

2006-02-09

About 200 rare earth (RE) minerals are distributed in a wide variety of mineral classes, such as halides, carbonates, oxides, phosphates, silicates, etc. Due to the large ionic radii and trivalent oxidation state, RE ions in the minerals have large coordination numbers (c.n.) 6-10 by anions (O, F, OH). Light rare earth elements (LREEs) tend to occupy the larger sites of 8-10 c.n. and concentrate in carbonates and phosphates. On the other hand, heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and Y occupy 6-8 c.n. sites and are abundant in oxides and a part of phosphates. Only a few mineral species, such as bastnaesite (Ce,La)(CO{sub 3})F, monazite (Ce,La)PO{sub 4}, xenotime YPO{sub 4}, and RE-bearing clay have been recovered for commercial production. Bayan Obo, China is the biggest RE deposit in the world. One of probable hypotheses for ore geneses is that the deposit might be formed by hydrothermal replacement of carbonate rocks of sedimentary origin. The hydrothermal fluid may be derived from an alkaline-carbonatite intrusive series. Following Bayan Obo, more than 550 carbonatite/alkaline complex rocks constitute the majority of the world RE resources. The distribution is restricted to interior and marginal regions of continents, especially Precambrian cratons and shields, or related to large-scale rift structures. Main concentrated areas of the complexes are East African rift zones, northern Scandinavia-Kola peninsula, eastern Canada and southern Brazil. Representative sedimentary deposits of REE are placer- and conglomerate-types. The major potential countries are Australia, India, Brazil, and Malaysia. Weathered residual deposits have been formed under tropical and sub-tropical climates. Bauxite and laterite nickel deposit are the representative. Ion adsorption clay without radioactive elements is known in southern China. Weathering processes concentrate REE in a particular clay mineral-layer in the weathered crusts whose source were originally REE-rich rocks like granite

Rare earth minerals and resources in the world

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kanazawa, Yasuo; Kamitani, Masaharu

2006-01-01

About 200 rare earth (RE) minerals are distributed in a wide variety of mineral classes, such as halides, carbonates, oxides, phosphates, silicates, etc. Due to the large ionic radii and trivalent oxidation state, RE ions in the minerals have large coordination numbers (c.n.) 6-10 by anions (O, F, OH). Light rare earth elements (LREEs) tend to occupy the larger sites of 8-10 c.n. and concentrate in carbonates and phosphates. On the other hand, heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and Y occupy 6-8 c.n. sites and are abundant in oxides and a part of phosphates. Only a few mineral species, such as bastnaesite (Ce,La)(CO 3 )F, monazite (Ce,La)PO 4 , xenotime YPO 4 , and RE-bearing clay have been recovered for commercial production. Bayan Obo, China is the biggest RE deposit in the world. One of probable hypotheses for ore geneses is that the deposit might be formed by hydrothermal replacement of carbonate rocks of sedimentary origin. The hydrothermal fluid may be derived from an alkaline-carbonatite intrusive series. Following Bayan Obo, more than 550 carbonatite/alkaline complex rocks constitute the majority of the world RE resources. The distribution is restricted to interior and marginal regions of continents, especially Precambrian cratons and shields, or related to large-scale rift structures. Main concentrated areas of the complexes are East African rift zones, northern Scandinavia-Kola peninsula, eastern Canada and southern Brazil. Representative sedimentary deposits of REE are placer- and conglomerate-types. The major potential countries are Australia, India, Brazil, and Malaysia. Weathered residual deposits have been formed under tropical and sub-tropical climates. Bauxite and laterite nickel deposit are the representative. Ion adsorption clay without radioactive elements is known in southern China. Weathering processes concentrate REE in a particular clay mineral-layer in the weathered crusts whose source were originally REE-rich rocks like granite and

Radiological safety in extraction of rare earths in India: regulatory control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sinha, S.; Bhattacharya, R.

2011-01-01

The term 'rare earths' refers to a group of f-block elements in the periodic table including those with atomic numbers 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium), as well as the transition metals Yttrium (39) and Scandium (21). Economically extractable concentrations of rare earths are found in minerals such as monazite, bastnaesite, cerites, xenotime etc. Of these, monazite forms the main source for rare earths in India, which along with other heavy minerals is found abundantly in the coastal beach sands. However, in addition to rare earths, monazite also contains 0.35% U 3 O 8 and 8-9% ThO 2 . Hence, extraction of rare earths involves chemical separation of the rare earths from thorium and uranium which are radioactive. The processing and extraction of rare earths from monazite therefore invariably results in occupational radiation exposure to the workers involved in these operations. In addition, in the process of removal of radioactivity from rare earths, radioactive solid waste gets generated which has 2 2 8Ra concentration in the range 2000-5000 Bq/g. Unregulated disposal of such high active waste would not only result in contamination of the soil but the radionuclides would eventually enter the food chain and lead to internal exposure of the general public. Therefore such facilities involved in recovery of rare earths from monazite attract the provisions of radiological safety regulations. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India has been enforcing the provisions of The Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 and The Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste) Rules, 1987 in these facilities. This paper shall discuss the associated radiological hazard involved in recovery of rare earths from monazite. It shall also highlight the regulatory requirements for controlling the occupational exposure of workers during design stage such as requirements on lay out of the building, ventilation, containment of radioactivity, etc and also the during operational

Comment on “Synthesis of ceria (CeO_2 and CeO_2_−_x) nanoparticles via decarbonation and Ce(III) oxidation of synthetic bastnaesite (CeCO_3F)” by Montes-Hernandez et al

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gysi, Alexander P.; Williams-Jones, Anthony E.

2016-01-01

Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] recently reported results of a study of the decarbonation of fine-grained synthetic bastnäsite-(Ce) precipitates involving the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) and the formation of ceria (CeO_2 and CeO_2_-_x with oxygen vacancies) nano-particles. The purpose of their study was to show that oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) occurs spontaneously during heating of bastnäsite-(Ce) in air, a vacuum, N_2 or Ar gas. However, their interpretation of the formation of CeO_2 is not supported by the findings of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3], who showed that natural bastnäsite-(Ce) decomposes to form rare earth element (REE) oxyfluorides (REEOF). The latter was documented using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TGA) experiments under a deoxygenated N_2 atmosphere. In their experiments, Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] found no evidence for the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV). This raises the question of whether the experiments of Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] in a N_2 atmosphere (and by extension in an Ar atmosphere) were compromised because of contamination by O_2 and that, as a result, they reached the erroneous conclusion that Ce(III) oxidizes spontaneously to Ce(IV) during heating of bastnäsite-(Ce) under these conditions. In order to explain the disagreement between their findings and those of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3], Montes-Hernandez et al. [5], proposed that the X-ray diffraction data of the former study were incorrectly interpreted. Here, we provide further evidence that the natural bastnäsite-(Ce) employed in the study by Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] decomposed to form REE oxyfluorides (i.e., CeOF, LaOF, PrOF and NdOF) and not CeO_2, and supply explanations for why Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] erroneously concluded that CeO_2 is produced during decomposition of this mineral under N_2 and Ar atmospheres. In so doing, we hope to provide new insights into the decomposition of bastnäsite-(Ce) that will help guide future studies of this fascinating mineral. We also show how the thermodynamic data of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] can be used to evaluate the conditions at which bastnäsite-(Ce) is stable in hydrothermal fluids.

Stages of weathering mantle formation from carbonate rocks in the light of rare earth elements (REE) and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes

Science.gov (United States)

Hissler, Christophe; Stille, Peter

2015-04-01

suggesting their close genetic relationships. Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data allow to identify four principal components in the soil: a silicate-rich pool at close to the surface, a leachable REE enriched pool at the bottom of the soil profile, the limestone facies on which the weathering profile developed and an anthropogenic, atmosphere-derived component detected in the soil leachates of the uppermost soil horizon. The leachable phases are mainly secondary carbonate-bearing REE phases such as bastnaesite. The isotope data and trace element distribution patterns indicate that at least four geological and environmental events impacted the chemical and isotopical compositions of the soil system since the Cretaceous.

Comment on “Synthesis of ceria (CeO{sub 2} and CeO{sub 2−x}) nanoparticles via decarbonation and Ce(III) oxidation of synthetic bastnaesite (CeCO{sub 3}F)” by Montes-Hernandez et al

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gysi, Alexander P., E-mail: agysi@mines.edu [Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1516 Illinois Street, Golden, CO, 80401 (United States); Williams-Jones, Anthony E. [Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, 3450 University Street, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 2A7 (Canada)

2016-11-01

Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] recently reported results of a study of the decarbonation of fine-grained synthetic bastnäsite-(Ce) precipitates involving the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) and the formation of ceria (CeO{sub 2} and CeO{sub 2-x} with oxygen vacancies) nano-particles. The purpose of their study was to show that oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) occurs spontaneously during heating of bastnäsite-(Ce) in air, a vacuum, N{sub 2} or Ar gas. However, their interpretation of the formation of CeO{sub 2} is not supported by the findings of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3], who showed that natural bastnäsite-(Ce) decomposes to form rare earth element (REE) oxyfluorides (REEOF). The latter was documented using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TGA) experiments under a deoxygenated N{sub 2} atmosphere. In their experiments, Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] found no evidence for the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV). This raises the question of whether the experiments of Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] in a N{sub 2} atmosphere (and by extension in an Ar atmosphere) were compromised because of contamination by O{sub 2} and that, as a result, they reached the erroneous conclusion that Ce(III) oxidizes spontaneously to Ce(IV) during heating of bastnäsite-(Ce) under these conditions. In order to explain the disagreement between their findings and those of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3], Montes-Hernandez et al. [5], proposed that the X-ray diffraction data of the former study were incorrectly interpreted. Here, we provide further evidence that the natural bastnäsite-(Ce) employed in the study by Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] decomposed to form REE oxyfluorides (i.e., CeOF, LaOF, PrOF and NdOF) and not CeO{sub 2}, and supply explanations for why Montes-Hernandez et al. [5] erroneously concluded that CeO{sub 2} is produced during decomposition of this mineral under N{sub 2} and Ar atmospheres. In so doing, we hope to provide new insights into the decomposition of bastnäsite-(Ce) that will help guide future studies of this fascinating mineral. We also show how the thermodynamic data of Gysi and Williams-Jones [3] can be used to evaluate the conditions at which bastnäsite-(Ce) is stable in hydrothermal fluids.

Chemical and ceramic methods toward safe storage of actinides using monazite. 1998 annual progress report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boatner, L.A.; Morgan, P.E.D.

1998-01-01

'The use of ceramic monazite, (La,Ce)PO 4 , for sequestering actinides, especially plutonium, and some other radioactive waste elements (rare earths e.g.) and thus isolating them from the environment has been championed by Lynn Boatner of ORNL. It may be used alone or, as it is compatible with many other minerals in nature, can be used in composite combinations. Natural monazite, which almost invariably contains Th and U, is often formed in hydrothermal pegmatites and is extremely water resistant--examples are known where the mineral has been washed out of rocks (becoming a placer mineral as on the beach sands of India, Australia, Brazil etc.) then reincorporated into new rocks with new crystal overgrowths and then washed out again--being 2.5--3 billion years old. During this demanding water treatment it has retained Th and U. Where very low levels of water attack have been seen (in more siliceous waters), the Th is tied up as new ThSiO 4 and remains immobile. Lest it be thought that rare-earths are rare or expensive, this is not so. In fact, the less common lanthanides such as gadolinium, samarium, europium, and terbium, are necessarily extracted and much used by, e.g., the electronics industry, leaving La and Ce as not-sufficiently-used by-products. The recent development of large scale use of Nd in Nd-B-Fe magnets has further exaggerated this. Large deposits of the parent mineral bastnaesite are present in the USA and in China. (Mineral monazite itself is not preferred due to its thorium content.) In the last 5 years it has become apparent show that monazite (more specifically La-monazite) is an unrecognized/becoming-interesting ceramic material. PuPO4 itself has the monazite structure; the PO 4 3-unit strongly stabilizes actinides and rare earths in their trivalent state. Monazite melts without decomposition (in a closed system) at 2,074 C and, being compatible with common ceramic oxides such as alumina, mullite, zirconia and YAG, is useful in oxidatively

Mianningite, (□,Pb,Ce,Na) (U{sup 4+},Mn,U{sup 6+}) Fe{sup 3+}{sub 2}(Ti,Fe{sup 3+}){sub 18}O{sub 38}, a new member of the crichtonite group from Maoniuping REE deposit, Mianning county, southwest Sichuan, China

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ge, Xiangkun; Fan, Guang; Chen, Zhangru; Ai, Yujie [Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, Beijing (China); Li, Guowu [China Univ. of Geosciences, Beijing (China). Lab. of Crystal Structure; Shen, Ganfu [Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu (China)

2017-05-15

Mianningite (IMA 2014-072), ideally (□,Pb,Ce,Na)(U{sup 4+},Mn,U{sup 6+}) Fe{sup 3+}{sub 2}(Ti,Fe{sup 3+}){sub 18}O{sub 38}, is a new member of the crichtonite group from the Maoniuping REE deposit, Mianning county, Sichuan province, China. It was found in fractures of lamprophyre veins and in the contact between lamprophyre and a later quartz-alkali feldspar syenite dyke with REE mineralization, and is named after its type locality. Associated minerals are microcline, albite, quartz, iron-rich phlogopite, augite, muscovite, calcite, baryte, fluorite, epidote, pyrite, magnetite, hematite, galena, hydroxylapatite, titanite, ilmenite, rutile, garnet-group minerals, zircon, allanite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), bastnaesite-(Ce), parisite-(Ce), maoniupingite-(Ce), thorite, pyrochlore-group minerals and chlorite. Mianningite occurs as opaque subhedral to euhedral tabular crystals, up to 1-2 mm in size, black in color and streak, and with a submetallic luster. Mianningite is brittle, with a conchoidal fracture. Its average micro-indentation hardness is 83.8 kg/mm{sup 2} (load 0.2 kg), which is equivalent to ∝6 on the Mohs hardness scale. Its measured and calculated densities are 4.62 (8) g/cm{sup 3} and 4.77 g/cm{sup 3}, respectively. Under reflected light, mianningite is grayish white, with no internal reflections. It appears isotropic and exhibits neither bireflectance nor pleochroism. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 38 O atoms per formula unit (apfu), is [□{sub 0.322}(Pb{sub 0.215}Ba{sub 0.037}Sr{sub 0.036}Ca{sub 0.010}){sub Σ0.298}(Ce{sub 0.128}La{sub 0.077}Nd{sub 0.012}){sub Σ0.217} (Na{sub 0.127}K{sub 0.036}){sub Σ0.163}]{sub Σ01.000}(U{sup 4+}{sub 0.447}Mn{sub 00.293}U{sup 6} {sup +}{sub 0.112}Y{sub 0.091}Zr{sub 0.023}Th{sub 0.011}){sub Σ0.977}(Fe{sup 3+}{sub 1.224}Fe{sup 2+}{sub 0.243}Mg{sub 0.023}P{sub 0.008}Si{sub 0.006} □{sub 0.496}){sub Σ2.000}(Ti{sub 12.464}Fe{sup 3+}{sub 5.292}V{sup 5+}{sub 0.118}Nb{sub 0.083}Al{sub 0.026}Cr{sup 3

A Unique Yttrofluorite-Hosted Giant Heavy Rare Earth Deposit: Round Top Mountain, Hudspeth County, Texas, USA

Science.gov (United States)

Pingitore, N. E.; Clague, J. W.; Gorski, D.

2013-12-01

Round Top Mountain is a surface-exposed peraluminous rhyolite laccolith, enriched in heavy rare earth elements, as well as niobium-tantalum, beryllium, lithium, fluorine, tin, rubidium, thorium, and uranium. The extreme extent of the deposit (diameter one mile) makes it a target for recovery of valuable yttrium and HREEs, and possibly other scarce elements. The Texas Bureau of Economic Geology estimated the laccolith mass as at least 1.6 billion tons. A Preliminary Economic Assessment for Texas Rare Earth Resources listed an inferred mineral resource of 430,598,000 kg REOs (rare earth oxides), with over 70% Y+HREEs (YHREE). Put in global perspective, China is thought to produce ~25,000 tons YHREE per year, and exports but a small fraction of that. Because of the extremely fine grain size of the late-phase fluorine-carried critical fluid mineralization, it has not been clear which minerals host the YHREEs. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy experiments at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource revealed that virtually all of the YHREE content resides in yttrofluorite, rather than in the other reported REE minerals in the deposit, bastnaesite and xenotime. The extended x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra of the sample suite were all quite similar, and proved a close match to known model compound specimens of yttrofluorite from two locations, in Sweden and New Mexico. Small spectral variation between the two model compounds and among the samples is attributable to the variable elemental composition and altervalent substitutional nature of yttrofluorite (Ca [1-x] Y,REE [x])F[2+x]. We found no other reported deposit in the world in which yttrofluorite is the exclusive, or even more than a minor, YHREE host mineral. Leaching experiments show that the YHREEs are easily liberated by dissolution with dilute sulfuric acid, due to the solubility of yttrofluorite. Flotation separation of the yttrofluorite had been demonstrated, but was rendered inefficient by the

Mianningite, (□,Pb,Ce,Na) (U"4"+,Mn,U"6"+) Fe"3"+_2(Ti,Fe"3"+)_1_8O_3_8, a new member of the crichtonite group from Maoniuping REE deposit, Mianning county, southwest Sichuan, China

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ge, Xiangkun; Fan, Guang; Chen, Zhangru; Ai, Yujie; Li, Guowu

2017-01-01

Mianningite (IMA 2014-072), ideally (□,Pb,Ce,Na)(U"4"+,Mn,U"6"+) Fe"3"+_2(Ti,Fe"3"+)_1_8O_3_8, is a new member of the crichtonite group from the Maoniuping REE deposit, Mianning county, Sichuan province, China. It was found in fractures of lamprophyre veins and in the contact between lamprophyre and a later quartz-alkali feldspar syenite dyke with REE mineralization, and is named after its type locality. Associated minerals are microcline, albite, quartz, iron-rich phlogopite, augite, muscovite, calcite, baryte, fluorite, epidote, pyrite, magnetite, hematite, galena, hydroxylapatite, titanite, ilmenite, rutile, garnet-group minerals, zircon, allanite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), bastnaesite-(Ce), parisite-(Ce), maoniupingite-(Ce), thorite, pyrochlore-group minerals and chlorite. Mianningite occurs as opaque subhedral to euhedral tabular crystals, up to 1-2 mm in size, black in color and streak, and with a submetallic luster. Mianningite is brittle, with a conchoidal fracture. Its average micro-indentation hardness is 83.8 kg/mm"2 (load 0.2 kg), which is equivalent to ∝6 on the Mohs hardness scale. Its measured and calculated densities are 4.62 (8) g/cm"3 and 4.77 g/cm"3, respectively. Under reflected light, mianningite is grayish white, with no internal reflections. It appears isotropic and exhibits neither bireflectance nor pleochroism. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 38 O atoms per formula unit (apfu), is [□_0_._3_2_2(Pb_0_._2_1_5Ba_0_._0_3_7Sr_0_._0_3_6Ca_0_._0_1_0)_Σ_0_._2_9_8(Ce_0_._1_2_8La_0_._0_7_7Nd_0_._0_1_2)_Σ_0_._2_1_7 (Na_0_._1_2_7K_0_._0_3_6)_Σ_0_._1_6_3]_Σ_0_1_._0_0_0(U"4"+_0_._4_4_7Mn_0_0_._2_9_3U"6 "+_0_._1_1_2Y_0_._0_9_1Zr_0_._0_2_3Th_0_._0_1_1)_Σ_0_._9_7_7(Fe"3"+_1_._2_2_4Fe"2"+_0_._2_4_3Mg_0_._0_2_3P_0_._0_0_8Si_0_._0_0_6 □_0_._4_9_6)_Σ_2_._0_0_0(Ti_1_2_._4_6_4Fe"3"+_5_._2_9_2V"5"+_0_._1_1_8Nb_0_._0_8_3Al_0_._0_2_6Cr"3"+_0_._0_1_7)_Σ_1_8_._0_0_0O_3_8. Mianningite is trigonal, belongs to the space group R anti 3, and has

Fluorine

Science.gov (United States)

Hayes, Timothy S.; Miller, M. Michael; Orris, Greta J.; Piatak, Nadine M.; Schulz, Klaus J.; DeYoung,, John H.; Seal, Robert R.; Bradley, Dwight C.

2017-12-19

fluorine concentrations in the more evolved or differentiated igneous rocks and in hydrothermal deposits associated with those evolved igneous rocks. In sedimentary rocks, fluorine’s highest concentrations are found in phosphorites because fluorine substitutes for hydroxyl ions in apatite, which leads to fluorine concentrations of, typically, from 2 to 4 weight percent in phosphorites. Because of the presence of fluorine, phosphate fertilizer manufacturers can produce a fluorosilicic acid byproduct. Most deposits mined for fluorine are hydrothermal, however, and consist of fluorine minerals that precipitated from hot water. Magmatic brines and brines from deep within sedimentary basins that have high concentrations of dissolved fluoride are the mineralizing fluids for various types of hydrothermal fluorspar deposits. Relatively dilute hydrothermal fluids that formed in some volcanic rocks can also transport sufficient fluoride to form a high-grade fluorspar deposit. Fluorite has low solubility in a common range of hydrothermal temperatures, particularly from about 160 degrees Celsius (°C) down to 60 °C. The increasing fluorite solubility below 60 °C partly explains why some water with exceptionally high levels of dissolved fluorine are found even at ambient temperatures in evaporitic lake basins in some East African Rift valleys in Kenya and Tanzania. The geologic conditions that led to the high concentrations there are known to exist in a number of other places in the world as well, including, perhaps, places in the Basin and Range province of the United States.Eight minerals or mineral groups have sufficient fluorine in their structures to be considered as possible ores of the element; they are bastnaesite (also spelled bastnäsite; and other fluorocarbonates), cryolite, sellaite, villiaumite, fluorite, fluorapatite (in phosphorites), various phyllosilicates, and topaz. Fluorite is currently the only mineral that is mined for fluorine, and nomineral except fluorite