Identification and quantification of rare earth elements in Kamafugite ore processed through hydrometallurgical methods

Rare earth elements (REEs) are used to produce several materials in modern industry. Kamafugite ore, found in the central region of Minas Gerais state (Brazil), has REEs at levels of up to 2400 ppm, but they need to be extracted and concentrated by complex processing sequences. The combined use of Neutron Diffraction (ND), neutron resonance absorption spectroscopy (NRCA and NRTI) available on INES and neutron activation analysis (NAA) with irradiation on INES and deactivation measurements with the HPGe detector available on CHIPIR, will make it possible to identify and quantify the REEs in the different fractions of the hydrometallurgical products of Kamafugite (magnetic fraction, non-magnetic fraction and leachate), with the mapping serving as a basis for improving the hydrometallurgical leaching routes under development.

稀土元素（Rare Earth Elements，REEs）可用于制备现代工业中的多种材料。产于巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州中部的霞斜煌岩（Kamafugite）矿石中，稀土元素含量最高可达2400 ppm，但需通过复杂的工艺流程序列完成提取与富集。本研究将结合使用INES装置上搭载的中子衍射（Neutron Diffraction，ND）、中子共振吸收光谱法（Neutron Resonance Absorption Spectroscopy，NRCA、NRTI），以及在INES上开展样品辐照活化、依托CHIPIR装置上的高纯锗（HPGe）探测器进行活化后衰变测量的中子活化分析（Neutron Activation Analysis，NAA），实现对霞斜煌岩湿法冶金产物不同组分（磁选组分、非磁选组分与浸出液）中稀土元素的定性识别与定量检测；所得组分分布图谱可为当前研发中的湿法冶金浸出工艺路线优化提供依据。