1Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
Possible evolution for RE mining projects
according to Gartner Hype cycle
2Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
3Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
Metallurgy Advantage :Debating competitive elements of
tonnage, grade, mineralogy, …
4Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto Downstream RE Separations and Finishings
Beneficiation
Heavy SandsMines
Ilmenite, Rutile,… Zircon,… Cassiterite,…
MONAZITE XENOTIME
Grinding +Beneficiation
Hard rocksMines
Fe conc Nb,Ta conc
Alkalinecracking
Crude REHydroxide
HCl, HNO3
dissolution
BASTNASITE
Acidbaking
Crude RESulfate
Waterdissolution
NaOH H2SO4
Non RE + Rad* Purification of Mix RE solutions by Chemistry and/or SX
Grinding +Beneficiation
BASTNASITE
Roasting
Aciddissolution
HCl
L/Sseparation
Australia,India, SthA,…Brazil, USA,
MolycorpSichuan
BayanObo
TSP
Residu Ce4
conc RE3
Cl sol
Summarize of "classical " RE processesUSA,China,
Residu
5
Metallurgy Advantage :Debating competitive elements of tonnage, grade, mineralogy, …
"Classical" RE processes are using high grade concentrates usually >50%REO
meaning RE bearer minerals are easily liberated and accessible.- Bastnasite, Monazite as Light RE sources- Xenotime for Heavy RE ones- Russian Loparite as RE,NbTa,Ti bearer is a special case for
LRE…!- Chinese Ionic ores since late 80’s are also an other one for
HRE…! First new industrial RE concentrate is Lynas Mt Weld project presently starting with an intermediate concentrate ~40%REO grade.
Futur potential RE sources now under development are generally conducting to some "RE concentrates" of which %REO grade is even more strongly depending of the mineralogy of the RE bearers…
Here after is a sketch for a rough comparison of that present evolution of RE resources…
Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
Gangue Gangue
Coarse pure RE mineralBN, MZ, XN,…
Mix RE mineralRE included into lattice
6
Simplified 2 types forRE mineralisation
BeneficiationEasy Hopeless
Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
7Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
REO Grade / MineralogyWhere is the Optimum between physical beneficiation and chemical cracking ?!• Although the target is to recover the maximum of RE content, Mining and
Chemistry are two worlds needing to very well know and understand each other to reach this optimum…
• Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) is of crucial importance… while Beneficiation and Metallurgical behavior are tested for determination of a potential flowsheet, then future economical process.
Tonnage REO / REO DistributionEvolution of RE market to be estimated for Light/Heavy RE ores development.• RE are coming all together, but will not be paid at best market price…• Global " RE equilibrium " has also to be taken into account for tonnage
capacity…
Upcoming new RE sources
8Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto
Thank you for your attention
Merci pour votre attention
Top Related