Revealing the effects of mechanical attrition applied on Eskisehir-Beylikova REE ore utilizing MLA

Eskişehir-Beylikova ore has one of the high-potential rare earth element (REE) reserves worldwide. In addition to recovering of REEs from these ores, industrial-scale enrichment of barite, fluorite and thorium continues intensively. However, there have been problems with beneficiation due to the particle size liberation. The most significant point for selecting beneficiation method in a cost-effective way depends on the characterization studies that reveal the mineralogy, mineral associations, and liberation size. According to the recent studies that focused on the beneficiation of Eskişehir ore, it was pointed out that REEs accumulated – 5 µm and before beneficiation of those minerals mechanical attrition was needed. However, the effects of mechanical attrition and how it affects behaviors of the rare earth in the fine fractions have not explained clearly. Therefore, this research has focused on filling this gap in the literature to reveal the effects of mechanical attrition on the beneficiation of rare earth elements using the MLA technique. Regarding results, after the mechanical attrition process, the amount of −38 µm increased by 20 % in the scrubbed sample, and the distribution of REEs enhanced from 15 % to 70 %. The liberation degree of REEs enhanced by 10–25 %, and mineral associations decreased at – 38 µm. From EDS results, Rare earth carbonate, Th-Parisite, Synchysite, Carbocernaite, and Monazite were determined as the rare earth minerals.