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Hydrometallurgical Processing of Bastnasite Ore: A Theoretical Approach Using Pourbaix (Eh–pH) Diagrams

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Abstract

The hydrometallurgical processing of bastnasite is a well-known process that is used to extract rare earth metals. However, more accurate measures are required to enhance the efficiency of extracting and recycling rare earths. In this work, Pourbaix (Eh–pH) diagrams for La-, Nd-, and Pr-(F)-(CO3)-(SO4)-(Cl)-(NO3)-(C2O4)-H2O systems were theoretically derived to investigate the stability relations during the hydrometallurgical processing of bastnasite. The diagrams for RE-H2O systems show similar trends to the original ones drown by Pourbaix. The stability domains of RE carbonates were presented by RE-CO3-H2O systems with pH range of 4.5–11. In contrast, the diagrams for RE fluorides showed a large stability region of insoluble REF3 (pH ~  − 1.7–12). The decomposition behaviors of REFCO3 were studied by constructing Eh–pH diagrams for RE-F-CO3-H2O system. The stability regions of bastnasite species extend from nearly neutral to basic media (pH ~ 6.5–12). The acid treatment (using H2SO4, HCl, and HNO3) of bastnasite was investigated by constructing Eh–pH diagrams for RE-F-CO3-(SO4)-(Cl)-(NO3)-H2O systems. According to these systems, REFCO3 can be decomposed at pH ~ 6.5 when treated with H2SO4 and at pH ~ 1.7 when treated with HCl and HNO3 acids. On the other hand, the alkaline treatment of REFCO3 converts it to RE(OH)3 at pH ~ 11. The recovery of rare earths ions was studied with the aid of RE-C2O4-H2O systems which shows a wide stability region for RE oxalates in pH range of − 2–11. This theoretical approach explained the aqueous relations in the hydrometallurgical processing of bastnasite ore and it can improve the practical hydrometallurgical processing of such ores.

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Data Availability

The authors declare that the data supporting the fndings of this study are available within the article.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support (through a fellowship award to the first author) from Sultan Qaboos University under the Omani Government (R. No. 2172/2013). 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Box 36, Al Khoud 123, Oman

    Isehaq Al-Nafai

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Kwadwo Osseo-Asare

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  1. Isehaq Al-Nafai
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  2. Kwadwo Osseo-Asare
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IA-N is an assistant professor of chemistry at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.

K.O-A is a Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Energy and Mineral Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering.

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Correspondence to Isehaq Al-Nafai.

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Al-Nafai, I., Osseo-Asare, K. Hydrometallurgical Processing of Bastnasite Ore: A Theoretical Approach Using Pourbaix (Eh–pH) Diagrams. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 41, 525–545 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-00928-0

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