Chinese scientists have successfully developed a weathered crust type rare earth ore electric drive mining technology, which increases the rare earth recovery rate by about 30%, reduces the impurity content by about 70%, and shortens the mining time by about 70%. This was learned by the reporter at the evaluation meeting of scientific and technological achievements held in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province on the 15th.
It is understood that weathered crust type rare earth minerals are a unique resource in China. The problems in ecological environment, resource utilization efficiency, leaching cycle, and other aspects of the commonly used ammonium salt in-situ leaching technology currently restrict the efficient and green utilization of rare earth resources in China.
In response to related problems, He Hongping’s team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry developed the electric drive mining technology for weathered crust type rare earth ores based on the research on the occurrence state of rare earth in weathered crust type rare earth ores. Simulation experiments, amplification experiments, and field demonstrations have shown that compared to existing mining processes, the electric drive mining technology for weathered crust type rare earth ore has significantly optimized rare earth recovery rate, leaching agent dosage, mining cycle, and impurity removal, making it an efficient and green new technology for weathered crust type rare earth ore mining.
The relevant achievements have been published in 11 high-level papers in journals such as “Nature Sustainability”, and 7 authorized invention patents have been obtained. A demonstration project with a scale of 5000 tons of earthwork has been built. The research team stated that it will accelerate the improvement of technology integration and accelerate the industrialization application of related achievements.
The above scientific and technological achievements evaluation meeting will be attended by academicians and well-known experts from domestic universities, research institutes, and enterprises.
Post time: Oct-11-2023