Microscopic analyses of minerals adsorbing rare earth elements in ion adsorption type ore

Abstract

Ion adsorption type ores existing mainly in southern part of China are important as a supply source of rare earth elements (REE) which are essential for cutting edge industries. However, it is unclear what kind of minerals adsorb REE in the ores because the concentrations of REE are relatively low, and direct observations for monophase minerals have been rarely conducted. In the present study, we have attempted to clarify the minerals adsorbing REE using various experimental apparatus.