Compounds, methods, and systems for benefication of rare earth elements by flotation and gravity concentration

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for effectively separating carbonate gangue from bastnaesite without sacrificing significant REO grade or recovery. In some embodiments, centrifugal concentrators may beneficiate Ultra-Fine (UF) bastnaesite and calcite bearing flotation concentrates. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems can achieve initial gravity REO recoveries exceeding 90% while rejecting on the order of 25% to 35% of the total calcium from an assortment of rougher and cleaner flotation concentrates. Addition of stages of cleaner UF Falcon gravity separation may be operated in an open circuit configuration, from an original fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to upgrade up to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems may comprise UF gravity concentration that may provide for recovery of rare earth oxides at levels of greater than 70%, 80% and 90%, while also rejecting more than 15%, 20%, 25%, 30, or 35% of the total calcium. Also described are benefication of fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods, compounds, and systems may be used to complement existing or modified flotation systems.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.