Characterization and Breakdown of South Gabal EL A’urf Polymineralized ore Material

Abstract

The polymineralized ore material of south Gabal El-A’urf area hosts several economic minerals. These include tanteuxenite, monazite, bastanasite, anatase, as well as zircon. The corresponding interesting rare metals of these minerals include Nb, Ta, lanthanides (REE), Ti, and Zr. Different breakdown techniques have been investigated namely; agitation, pug and fusion. The latter technique is found to be preferred under the following conditions; potassium bisulphate ore/reagent weight ratio of 1/3 at 650 ºC for 3 h. The realized dissolution efficiencies for all metal values were as follows 98.0% and 99.3% for Nb and Ta respectively as well as complete  dissolution for lanthanides (REE) and 94% for Ti while Zr did not exceed 20% and concentrated in the residue left behind. This study of breakdown techniques aims to characterization of ore material of south Gabal El-A’urf area as well as preparing a proper leach liquor suitable for further recovery procedure and obtain pure remarket able products.