Development of potential evaluation method of insoluble minerals suitable for HREE resources

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25871193
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Earth system and resources engineering; Petrology/Mineralogy/Economic geology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Hoshino Mihoko 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 地圏資源環境研究部門, 主任研究員 (10549885)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 重希土類資源 / アルカリ岩 / 資源評価 / 難溶性鉱物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Insoluble minerals such as zircon contained in alkaline rocks in the whole world include high heavy rare earth elements (HREE). However, they, generally being a heavy mineral and being resistant to chemical decomposition and erosion, have been not used as HREE resources. In this study, we carried out evaluation of crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and HREE leaching experiments by using dilute hydrochloric acid for insoluble minerals like zircon, fergusonite and mosandrite from major HREE deposits. Almost 100 % HREE from the insoluble minerals showing low crystallinity were leached. In this study, we presented characteristics of insoluble minerals suitable for HREE resources by using their simple crystallinity evaluation.

Free Research Field

鉱物学・鉱床学・結晶学