Materials Flows Analysis on the Beneficiation and Roasting Processes of a Typical Rare Earth Mineral

The aim of this paper is to explore material flow analysis, study the resource consumption and environmental impact of the production preparation process of typical rare earth materials. The results showed that in the beneficiation processes, producing one ton of rare earth concentrates (Rare Earth Oxide, REO50%) will also produces 27 tons of iron ore and 21 tons of tailings. The recovery of rare earths is only 16.8%. In roasting processes, roasting one ton (REO50%) of rare earth concentrates will emits 150 ~ 200Kg sulfuric acid mist, 500 ~ 600Kg sulfur dioxide, 30 ~ 40Kg fluoride, 30 ~ 50Kg smoke and1t (containing thorium) radioactive slag, and 1.2 tons of concentrated sulfuric acid should be used. The lower recoveries and large-scale of concentrated sulfuric acid used in roasting processes in rare earth industry are the main reasons lead to high pollution and high emissions.