Recovery of Rare Erath Oxides from Flotation Concentrates of Bastnaesite Ore by Ultra-Fine Centrifugal Concentration

Historically, the ability to effectively separate carbonate gangue from bastnaesite via flotation has frequently proven be challenging without sacrificing significant rare earth oxide (REO) grade or recovery. However, in light of fact that bearing minerals often exhibit higher specific gravities than gangue, possibility exists use gravity separation could used achieve such a selective separation. This however is complicated by that, cases as this study when liberation size finer 50 microns, most traditional methods become increasingly challenging. The aim determine applicability centrifugal concentrators beneficiate ultra-fine (UF) and calcite concentrates. By using UF Falcon, it was possible initial REO recoveries exceeding 90% while rejecting on order 25% 35% total calcium an assortment rougher cleaner Additionally, additional stages Falcon were operated open circuit configuration, possible, original fine feed 35 microns containing 50.5% 5.5% Ca, upgrade up approximately 59% 2.0% calcium. While not goal study, these results also support previous limited data suggest Falcons are potentially capable treating wider range materials they originally designed for, including feeds rich heavy mineral content.