Trace Elements and Rare Earth Elements of Sulfide Minerals in the Tianqiao Pb-Zn Ore Deposit,Guizhou Province,China

Trace elements and rare earth elements（REE） of the sulfide minerals were determined by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The results indicate that V,Cu,Sn,Ga,Cd,In,and Se are concentrated in sphalerite,Sb,As,Ge,and Tl are concentrated in galena,and almost all trace elements in pyrite are low.The Ga and Cd contents in the light-yellow sphalerites are higher than that in the brown and the black sphalerites.The contents of Ge,Tl,In,and Se in brown sphalerites are higher than that in light-yellow sphalerites and black sphalerites.It shows that REE concentrations are higher in pyrite than in sphalerite,and galena.In sphalerites,the REE concentration decreases from light-yellow sphalerites,brown sphalerites,to black sphalerites.The ratios of Ga/In are more than 10, and Co/Ni are less than 1 in the studied sphalerites and pyrites,respectively,indicating that the genesis of the Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis associated with hydrothermal genesis.The relationship between LnGa and LnIn in sphalerite,and between LnBi and LnSb in galena,indicates that the Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis.Based on the chondrite-normalized REE patterns,δEu is a negative anomaly（0.13-0.88）,andδCe does not show obvious anomaly（0.88-1.31）;all the samples have low total REE concentrations（〈3 ppm） and a wide range of light rare earth element/high rare earth element ratios（1.12-12.35）.These results indicate that the ore-forming fluids occur under a reducing environment.Comparison REE compositions and parameters of sphalerites,galenas,pyrites,ores,altered dolostone rocks,strata carbonates,and the pyrite from Lower Carboniferous Datang Formation showed that the ore-forming fluids might come from polycomponent systems,that is,different chronostratigraphic units could make an important contribution to the ore-forming fluids.Combined with the tectonic setting and previous isotopic geochemistry evidence,we conclude that the ore-deposit genesis is hydrothermal,sedimentary reformed,with multisources characteristics of ore-forming fluids.

Rare Earths, Niobium and Tantalum Minerals in Bayan Obo Ore Deposit and Discussion on Their Genesis

Bayan Obo ore deposit is endowed with and lie hidden in the Proterozoic strata. The localities and occurrences of the minerals in the ore deposit were described. It is obviously that some minerals are strata minerals and some are post strata minerals. The rare earths, niobium and tantalum minerals are exactly the post strata minerals. In these minerals the hydrothermal metasomatic phenomena distinctly reveal their metallogenic characteristics. According to tectonic movement, magma activity, mineral paragenesis, hydrothermal metasomatism, geological age and lasting time scale of metallogenesis, and some other factors, it is supposed that genesis of rare earths, niobium and tantalum minerals in Bayan Obo ore deposit are closely related with hydrothermal metallogenic solution which is differentiated from silica acid and carbonic acid magma and derived from deep seated source, and then intruded into Proterozoic strata and metasomatized. It is recognized that the metallogenesis of Bayan Obo ore deposit is undergoing a long geological period and many episodes.

Genetic Relationship of Minerals and Carbonate Units of Stratigraphy Sequence in the Ahmadabad Deposit (NE of Bafq) Using Data Related to Rare Earth Elements

Ahmadabad Pb-Zn ore deposit is located in the mineral area of Bahabad in Central Iran Zone. This ore deposit like other metallogenic areas in Bahabad is found in Triassic carbonate rocks. Carbonate rocks in Shotori formation have the highest frequency in the regional sequence stratigraphy. This formation is composed of TRSh1, TRSh2, TRSh3 and TRSh4 units. The TRSh3 unit hosts minerals in ore deposit Ahmadabad. Microcrystalline particles are the main constituent of these rocks. The most important minerals in this ore deposit include calamine Celestine, Cerussite and Wulfenite. The comparison of normalized ore patterns and carbonate sequence indicates that they have a specified genetic relationship. Here the TRSh2 unit is more similar to minerals.

Zircon deposit and rare earth element enriched metasomatic alkaline rocks at Kyemyeongsan Formation, Chungju, Korea: Paleozoic magmatism and Zr-REE-Nb mineralization

The zircon ore deposit in metasediments and peralkaline granite of the Kyemyeongsan Formation is located in southwest of Chungju city, Korea. The deposit, closely associated with REE and Nb,is composed of metasomatic alkaline rocks and rare metal alkali granite, and was formed in late Carboniferous (340～343Ma). Zircon occurs in different paragenetic sequence: (1) earlier rare metal alkali granite, (2) later metasomatic zircon ore. The metasomatic zone contains abundant microcline, albite and quartz with minor biotite, magnetite, hornblende, allanite and zircon. The alkali granites have high silica (72.13～74.52wt.% as SiO 2), and total iron content (5.95～6.89%), and are characterized by low Al 2O 3 content (7.12～9.74%). They also show variable K 2O content (3.60～6.98%), and high ratios of K 2O/Na 2O. The REE patterns of rare metal alkali granite are similar to those of felsic volcanics from rifts, or back arc basins in, or near continental crust. Zircon ores are characterized by high iron content and low Al 2O 3, SiO 2, and K 2O content and have unusually high total REE content (0.18～2.33%). REE patterns show relatively flat to somewhat heavy REE (HREE) depleted characteristics (Ce/Yb=0.39～5.17) with large Eu negative anomaly (Eu/Eu *=0.16～0.29). Laser ablation microprobe inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LAM ICP MS) analyses has been carried on zircon. The REE patterns of mineral zircons are almost the same to those of zircon ores and rare metal alkali granites, which may reflect the inability of zircons to effectively fractionated REE at formation of origin. The Sm Nd isochron age of the zircon ore and rare metal alkali granite are 330Ma, and 331Ma, respectively with ε Nd(t) being range from -2.00 to -1.84. This data suggest that the ore forming material came from the mantle. Alkali granite has suffered extensive post magmatic metasomatism of a high temperature to produce zircon ores. Geochemical characteristics show that metasomatism of alkaline fluid was probably the dominant ore forming process in Chungju district.

From mantle to critical zone:A review of large and giant sized deposits of the rare earth elements

The rare earth elements are unusual when defining giant-sized ore deposits,as resources are often quoted as total rare earth oxide,but the importance of a deposit may be related to the grade for individual,or a limited group of the elements.Taking the total REE resource,only one currently known deposit（Bayan Obo） would class as giant（〉1.7×10^7 tonnes contained metal）,but a range of others classify as large（〉1.7×10^6 tonnes）.With the exception of unclassified resource estimates from the Olympic Dam 10 CG deposit,all of these deposits are related to alkaline igneous activity- either carbonatites or agpaitic nepheline syenites.The total resource in these deposits must relate to the scale of the primary igneous source,but the grade is a complex function of igneous source,magmatic crystallisation,hydrothermal modification and supergene enrichment during weathering.Isotopic data suggest that the sources conducive to the formation of large REE deposits are developed in subcontinental lithospheric mantle,enriched in trace elements either by plume activity,or by previous subduction.The reactivation of such enriched mantle domains in relatively restricted geographical areas may have played a role in the formation of some of the largest deposits（e.g.Bayan Obo）.Hydrothermal activity involving fluids from magmatic to meteoric sources may result in the redistribution of the REE and increases in grade,depending on primary mineralogy and the availability of ligands.Weathering and supergene enrichment of carbonatite has played a role in the formation of the highest grade deposits at Mount Weld（Australia） and Tomtor（Russia）.For the individual REE with the current highest economic value（Nd and the HREE）,the boundaries for the large and giant size classes are two orders of magnitude lower,and deposits enriched in these metals（agpaitic systems,ion absorption deposits） may have significant economic impact in the near future.

Rare Earth Element and Trace Element Features of Gold-bearing Pyrite in the Jinshan Gold Deposit,Jiangxi Province

Jinshan gold deposit is located in northeastern Jiangxi,South China,which is related to the ductile shear zone.It has a gold reserve of more than 200 tons,with 80%of gold occurring in pyrite. The LREE of gold-bearing pyrite is as higher as 171.664 ppm on average,with relatively higher light rare earth elements（LREE;159.556 ppm） and lower HREE（12.108 ppm）.TheΣLREE/ΣHREE ratio is 12.612 and（La/Yb）_N is 11.765.These indicate that pyrite is rich in LREE.The（La/Sm）_N ratio is 3.758 and that of（Gd/Yb）_N is 1.695.These are obvious LREE fractionations.The rare earth element（REE） distribution patterns show obvious Eu anomaly with averageδEu values of 0.664,andδCe anomalies of 1.044.REE characteristics are similar to those of wall rocks（regional metamorphic rocks）,but different from those of the Dexing granodiorite porphyry and Damaoshan biotite granite.These features indicate that the ore-forming materials in the Jinshan gold deposit derived from the wall rocks, and the ore-forming fluids derived from metamorphic water.The Co/Ni ratio（average value 0.38） of pyrite suggests that the Jinshan gold deposit formed under a medium-low temperature.It is inferred from the values of high-field strength elements,LREE,Hf/Sm,Nb/La,and Th/La of the pyrite that the ore-forming fluids of the Jinshan gold deposit derived from metamorphic water with Cl〉F.

Rare Earth Element Geochemistry on Magmatic Rocks and Gold Deposits in Shizishan Ore-Field of Tongling, China

REE geochemical characteristics of the magmatic rocks and gold deposits in Shizishan ore-field of Tongling were studied. Three types of the magmatic rocks have almost the same chondrite-normalized REE patterns, Eu and Ce anomalous values, and ∑REE, ∑LREE/∑HREE regular changes, which indicates that their magmas come from the same source and their digenetic mechanism is fractional crystallization. In three gold deposits, the mineral ores and related altered rocks have similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns and sharp Eu positive anomalous values. The REE contents reduced from the magmatic rocks to skamization or alteration magmatic rocks, skam type ores, sulphide type ores, wall-rocks limestone or marble. The REE geochemical characteristics of the ores and related rocks show that primary fluids originated from magmatic differentiation in lower pressure of shallow crust, ore-forming hydrothermal solutions gained REE and mineralization elements further from leaching the magmatic rocks, then superimposed and reformed the limestones or marbles and deposited ore-forming material.

Rare earth elements and yttrium in ferromanganese deposits from the South China Sea:distribution,composition and resource considerations

Ferromanganese nodules and crusts contain relatively high concentration of rare earth elements（REE） and yttrium（REY）,with a growing interest in exploitation as an alternative to land-based REY resources.On the basis of comprehensive geochemical approach,the abundance and distribution of REY in the ferromanganese nodules from the South China Sea are analyzed.The results indicate that the REY contents in ferromanganese deposits show a clear geographic regularity.Total REY contents range from 69.1×10^-6 to 2 919.4×10^-6,with an average value of 1 459.5×10^-6.Especially,the enrichment rate of Ce content is high,accounting for almost 60% of the total REY.This REE enrichment is controlled mainly by the sorption of ferromanganese oxides and clay minerals in the nodules and crusts.Moreover,the total REY are higher in ferromanganese deposits of hydrogenous origin than of diagenetic origin.Finally,Light REE（LREE） and heavy REE（HREE） oxides of the ferromanganese deposits in the study area can be classified into four grades： non-enriched type,weakly enriched type,enriched type,and extremely enriched type.According to the classification criteria of rare earth resources,the Xisha and Zhongsha platform-central deep basin areas show a great potential for these rare earth metals.

Flotation Separation on Rare Earth Minerals and Gangues

The flotation process of native rare earth minerals such as bastnasite, monazite, mixed minerals of bastnasite and monazite, using the new effective collector Dh was studied, respectively, and the flotation properties were described. The good qualities of the new collector Dh were revealed through comparing with other collector of rare earth minerals. The test results of different ore samples showed that at moderate pulp pH (8.5～9.5), rare earth minerals could be effectively separated from barium, calcium and silicon bearing intergrowth minerals (barite, calcite and silicate minerals) and high quality rare earth concentrates could be obtained successfully by the new collector Dh, acid silica gel, turpentine and reagents fitting together rationally. In order to determine optimum technical conditions, the effect of pulp pH, pulp temperature, pulp density and the effect of dosage of reagents (Dh and acid silica gel) on the flotation were investigated in the test. Simultaneously, the mechanism of the flotation of rare earth minerals from intergrowth minerals was explored. The infrared spectra for Dh and rare earth cation by analysis in theory showed that Dh formed chelate complex with rare earth cation and were adsorbed on the surfaces of rare earth minerals. The mechanism of the intergrowth minerals depressed by acid silica gel can be explained as gummy colloid hydrolyzed from acid silica gel which were selectively absorbed on the gangue minerals, making them hydrophilic and depressed, with pulp pH value of alkalescent.

Mineralogical and Petrological Studies on Carbonatite Dykes in Bayan Ebo，Nei Mongol，China and Their Implication to Rare Earth Mineralization

Two carbonatite dykes separetely located on Dulahala Mountain and within Erdaowa Group strata in Bayan Ebo mineral deposit have been studied.For Dulahala carbonatite the content of RE2O3 is 23.9 wt%,higher than that in the rare earth ores of both Main Ore-body and Eastern Ore-body,the distribution patterns of rare earth elements and rare earth mineral assemblage are consistent with those in both Ore-bodies.The evidence indicates a material source for RE in Bayan Ebo deposit.Fenite occurring at the edge of the carbonatite in Erdaowa Group yields an isochron age of 343.26±7.33 Ma by Rb-Sr method.It implies the geological time of mineralization.

Geochemical Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements of Guidong Granitic Complex and Their Relationship with Uranium Mineralization

The Guidong granitic complex is constituted by Luxi pluton, Xiazhuang pluton, Maofeng pluton, Sundong pluton, Aizi pluton and Siqian pluton, which intruded in Indosinian and early Yanshanian Periods. These plutons varies from each other not only in major element content, aluminium saturation index, but also in ∑REE, δEu, and LREE/HREE, （La/Yb）N, （La/Sm） N and （Gd/Yb） N ratios. Uranium mineralization is mainly hosted by strong peraluminous granites, which has undergone intense fluid-rock interaction, and their REE compositions are characterised by M-type tetrad effects and lower ∑REE, δEu value, LREE/HREE, （La/Yb） N, （La/Sm） N and （Gd/Yb） N ratios.

Electrodeposition of Rare Earth Metals and Their Alloys

The cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic electrolysis and open circuit potential-time curve after electrolysis, current-time curve at potential step, X-ray diffraction, EDAX and electron probe microanalysis were used to investigate the electrodeposition of rare earth metals and their alloys in molten chlorides. The electrode processes and the mechanism of forming alloy were studied. The free energies of formation for the intermetallic compounds, the diffusion coefficients and diffusion activation energies of RE(III) ions in melt, the diffusion coefficients and diffusion activation energies of RE atoms in alloy phase were determined. The rare earth-iron group alloys were prepared by consumable cathode and electrolytic codeposition.

Sm-Nd dating and rare earth element geochemistry of the hydrothermal calcites from Guling carbonate-hosted talc mineralization in the central Guangxi province,South China

Many carbonate-hosted talc mineralization,which are widespread in South China,exclusively developed in Carboniferous dolomitic limestone with many siliceous bands and nodules,and cherts.One of those typical deposits is the Guling talc deposit in Mashan County,central Guangxi province,with a talc reserve of1.51 million tons.Mineral associations in the deposit are sample,mainly including talc and calcite.In this paper,Sm-Nd isotopic system and rare earth elements and yttrium(REE + Y) for the hydrothermal calcite intergrown with talc are used to constrain the age and origin of the talc mineralization.The hydrothermal calcite samples from the deposit display Sm and Nd concentrations ranging from 0.18 to 0.85 and 0.85 to 4.56 ppm,respectively,and variable Sm/Nd ratios of 0.21-0.24.These calcites further yield an Sm-Nd isochron age of 232 ±19 Ma(2a)(MSWD = 0.47) with an concordant initial ^(143)Nd-^(144)Nd ratios of 0.511967 ± 0.000017,which should be interpreted as the mineralization age of the Guling talc deposit.In addition,the calcite samples are enriched in REE with the variable SREE contents ranging from 4.82 to21.50 ppm and display relatively consistent chondritenormalized REE + Y patterns with the LREE enrichment(LREE/HREE=2.00-3.60)and the obvious negative Eu(δEu=0.52-0.68)and Ce(δCe=0.16-0.33)anomalies.The Y/Ho ratios of seven calcites varies from 43.30 to59.34,with a mean value of 49.73.The available mineral associations and REE parameters(i.e.,REE patterns and Y/Ho ratios) of those calcites indicate that the ore-forming fluids of the talc mineralization be probably derived from the meteoric waters,in particular evolved ones in the Karst areas and the ore-forming materials(e.g.,Si and Mg) are likely to be originated from the ore-bearing dolostone in the Yanguan Formation(C_1y) and underlying siliceous rocks in the Liujiang Formation(D_3l).Furthermore,the talc mineralization could take place within a hydrothermal system with relative oxidizing environment and middle temperature,due to the obvious negative Eu and Ce anomalies in the calcites in the Guling deposit.

Geochemical Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements of Guidong Granitic Complex and Relationship with Uranium Mineralization

Guidong granitic complex is constituted by Luxi intrusion, Xiazhuang intrusion, Maofeng intrusion, Sundong intrusion, Aizi intrusion and Siqian intrusion, which emplaced in Indosinian and early Yanshanian Periods. These intrusions varied from each other not only in major element content, aluminium saturation index, but also in values of ∑REE, δEu, and LREE/HREE, (La/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N and (Gd/Yb)N. The Maofeng intrusion, which has the closest relationship with uranium mineralization, belongs to strong peraluminous granites. Having undergone much intense fluid-rock interaction, it is characterized by typical M-type tetrad effects and lowest values of ∑REE, δEu, LREE/HREE, (La/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N and (Gd/Yb)N ratios than other studied intrusions.

Economical and Technical Indices of Decomposition Processes of Typical Rare Earth Minerals in China

The typical treatment processes we of main rare earth resources in China, especially the economical and technical indices of the minerals decomposition of such as ionic adsorptive rare earth deposit ore, bastnasite and mixed with monazite in Baotou, was presented. The dispersive ionic adsorptive rare earth deposit ore, which is enriched on valuable middle and heavy elements, concentrated by bicarbonate precipitation after exchanging with ammonium sulphate solution. Planting and waste liquid should be focused. Bastnasite and/or monazite, which is enriched light rare earth, centralized with high content and capacity,concentrated by gravimetric, magnetic, floating, then decomposed by calcinations and leaching. Waste liquid, gases and dregs should be treated properly. Investors interested in RE industry can find out the technical and economic characters and history of various RE minerals. Engineers and workers in RE industry can also find the differences of the plants, so as to make more efforts on improving management. However, solving environment protection problems for each process should be committed extraordinarily in order to make a sustainable development of RE industry.

Characteristics of Tungsten,Titanium,Rare-Earths and Antimony Mineral Resources of China

Large areas of old basements of metamorphic volcanic series, and magmatic and sedimentary rocks of different ages existing in China. China is rich in Mesozoic granite rocks which are closely related to nonferrous metals ore deposits, and favourable for the formation of tungsten, titanium, rare earths and antimony ore deposits. The article identifies the major types and locations of these mineral resources from a geological point of view.

Adsorption experiment of water-soluble rare earth elements in atmospheric depositions and implications for source tracing in South China

The distribution patterns of rare earth elements(REEs)in fine-grained materials in various depositions were often found to be similar to those of the aeolian sediments deposited in the Loess Plateau in North China and the fine-grained materials were suggested to be derived from wind-blown dust.However,increasing evidence indicated that the REEs in the water-soluble portion of atmospheric depositions also displayed similar patterns to those of aeolian sediments.In this study,water-soluble REEs in three atmospheric depositions collected from different climatic zones in China were adsorbed with two adsorbents with distinct adsorption capacity,glass powder,and co-precipitated iron hydroxide.The results showed that the REEs adsorbed by the two adsorbents displayed patterns similar to those of the original atmospheric depositions.The typical characteristics of the REE patterns of atmospheric deposition can be well reproduced in the adsorbed REEs.The higher the REE concentrations in the atmospheric depositions,or the higher adsorption efficiency of the adsorbents,the better reproducibility of the REEs patterns.The results suggest that the REEs of the fine-grained materials in various sediments,which have a high adsorption capacity,especially those deposited in South China,may come from the water-soluble REEs in atmospheric deposition,and may not be appropriate tracers of wind-blown dust from North China.

STUDY ON FLOTATION OF RARE EARTH MINERALS WITH P538 AND ITS MECHANISM

The properties and collecting ability of a new collector,monoalkyl ester phosphoric acid(P538),for the flotation of rare earth minerals are described in the paper.The mechanism of P538 adsorption on the surfaces of monazite or bastnaesite is explored by modern measuring techniques,such as IR and ESCA,etc.

Fractionation characteristics of rare earth elements(REEs) linked with secondary Fe, Mn, and Al minerals in soils

Soil secondary minerals are important scavengers of rare earth elements(REEs) in soils and thus affect geochemical behavior and occurrence of REEs. The fractionation of REEs is a common geochemical phenomenon in soils but has received little attention, especially fractionation induced by secondary minerals. In this study, REEs(La to Lu and Y) associated with soil-abundant secondary minerals Fe-, Al-, and Mn-oxides in 196 soil samples were investigated to explore the fractionation and anomalies of REEs related to the minerals. The results show right-inclined chondrite-normalized REE patterns for La–Lu in soils subjected to total soil digestion and partial soil extraction. Light REEs(LREEs) enrichment features were negatively correlated with a Eu anomaly and positively correlated with a Ce anomaly. The fractionation between LREEs and heavy REEs(HREEs) was attributed to the high adsorption affinity of LREEs to secondary minerals and the preferred activation/leaching of HREEs.The substantial fractions of REEs in soils extracted byoxalate and Dithionite-Citrate-Bicarbonate buffer solutions were labile(10 %–30 %), which were similar to the mass fraction of Fe(10 %–20 %). Furthermore, Eu was found to be more mobile than the other REEs in the soils, whereas Ce was less mobile. These results add to our understanding of the distribution and geochemical behavior of REEs in soils, and also help to deduce the conditions of soil formation from REE fractionation.

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF SYRIAN GOLDEN HAMSTER EMBRYO CELLS IN VITR0 BY THORIUM DIOXIDE AND RARE EARTH IRON MINERAL DUSTS

Malignant transformation of hamsterembryo cells was induced in vitro by rareearth iron mineral dusts(MP),naturalthorium(Th02) and MP plus Th02.Dusts of MP,MP plus Th02 or Th02 were added into themedium with the final concentration of 17.0,