Mineralogical characterization and alternative to concentrate the rare earth lithotypes from alkaline complex of Catalao - GO

A characterization study was conducted with five rare earth ore samples from the main lithotypes of Catalao deposit: Phoscorite, Phlogopitite, Bebedourite, Silexite and Cover. The fines particles have the higher rare earth grades, with predominance of light rare earth, corresponding to more than 95% of the rare earth total. The modal composition, mineral association and monazite liberation were determinate in the particle sizes fractions of each. The minerals determined in each sample were similar but in different concentrations. It was confirmed that monazite is the main rare earth bearing mineral for all the lithotypes, but its associations and textures are variable. The complex mineralogy becomes the use the conventional technics to concentrate rare earth mineral unavailable, like magnetic and density separation, besides flotation. (author)