Study on process mineralogy of a rare earth-bearing phosphate ore in Zhijin, Guizhou

By means of MLA, EDS, SEM and ICP-MS, the technological mineralogy of a rare earth-bearing phosphate ore in Zhijin, Guizhou Province was studied. The ore properties, distribution characteristics of main minerals and occurrence characteristics of rare earth elements have been investigated. The results show that the raw ore belongs to low and middle grade calcium siliceous collophanite, and the grade of P2O5 is 20.18%. Apatite is the main useful mineral with a content of 40.86%. It is often closely associated with dolomite, quartz, pyrite and other gangue minerals. La, Ce, Nd and Y are the main rare earth elements, of which Y is mainly detected in apatite, La, Ce and Nd are mainly detected in dolomite, and no independent rare earth minerals are found.