Beneficiation of Low-Grade Rare Earth Ore from Khalzan Buregtei Deposit (Mongolia) by Magnetic Separation

The global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is expected to increase significantly because of their importance in renewable energy and clean storage technologies, which are critical drastic carbon dioxide emission reduction achieve a carbon-neutral society. REE ore deposits around the world scarce those that have been identified but remain unexploited need be developed supply future demands. In this study, Khalzan Buregtei deposit located western Mongolia was studied with aim upgrading low-grade via magnetic separation techniques. total content ~6720 ppm (~3540 light (LREE) + ~3180 heavy (HREE)) bastnaesite, pyrochlore, synchysite, columbite-(Fe) as main REE-bearing minerals. As particle size fraction decreased from ?4.0 2.0 mm ?0.5 0.1 mm, recovery by dry high-intensity (DHIMS) increased 20% 70% oxide (TREO) while enrichment ratio reached 2.8 1.3. Although effective, gangue minerals such quartz aluminosilicates were recovered (~22%) due most likely insufficient liberation. Meanwhile, wet (WHIMS) could produce concentrate TREO ~80% 5.5 under following conditions: fraction, ?106 75 ?m; feed flow rate, 3.2 L/min; induction, 0.8 T. These results indicate combining DHIMS WHIMS upgrade an effective approach.