Beneficiation of bastnaesite by a multi-gravity separator

The preconcentration of bastnaesite of Beylikahir ore was achieved by attrition scrubbing of the original ore crushed to -1.65 mm. After scrubbing the sample at 50% solid pulp density for 1 h, the pulp was diluted and deslimed by cycloning. The slime (cyclone overflow) that was collected as a preconcentrate, assayed 28% REO with 72.6% recovery. The preconcentrate was fed to a Mozley multi-gravity separator (MGS) for further upgrading. As a result, a bastnaesite concentrate with 35.5% REO grade and 48% recovery (on original ore basis) was produced. Chemical analysis of the concentrate was as follows: Ce, 13.75%; La, 11.81%; Nd, 2.30%; Pr, 1%; Sm, 0.15%; Y, 0.064%. H2SO4 curing and water leaching of the preconcentrate indicated that >75% of REE could be taken into solution. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.