Beneficiation Flowsheet Development for Rare Earth Minerals: A Canadian Perspective
摘要
Rare earth elements (REEs) are central to modern life’s technological advancements. Endowed with substantial mineral resources, Canada is a crucial potential source of these vital elements. This chapter addresses the development of beneficiation flowsheets for notable Canadian projects, each of which presents unique challenges due to low grades and complex mineralogies, necessitating innovative and cost-effective beneficiation techniques to render extraction economically feasible. Against the backdrop of the Critical Minerals Plan of Canada—an industrialization strategy that fosters a net-zero economy—this study highlights the national endeavor to secure a domestic source of critical minerals and spearhead sectors crucial for future sustainability, such as electric car battery production. In this study, we examined mineralogical characteristics and processing methods, including gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation, tailored to enhance REE recovery and grade. The investigation included detailed laboratory experiments assessing the impact of reagent choices, addition points, and pH on beneficiation outcomes. The study also delves into the environmental considerations surrounding the use of hydroxamic acid-based flotation reagent suites. This analysis aims to improve both the recovery rates and the quality of concentrates, enhancing the project’s economic and environmental sustainability. The findings highlight the imperative of further research to address existing knowledge gaps and embrace sustainable practices in the beneficiation of rare earth minerals, pivotal to the high-tech industry’s future and aligned with Canada’s strategic vision for a net-zero economy.