The rare-earth elements (REE) are strategic metals which are indispensable to the development of modern defense systems, electronic applications and green technologies. The growing economic and strategic importance of these sectors, coupled with uncertainty in the global supply of REE from China, have led to concerns about the future supply of many of these metals. Due to these supply concerns and the increasing demand of REE, many new rare earth mineral (REM) deposits with novel mineralogy are being investigated. These deposits are often complex and contain multiple REMs for which there is limited processing knowledge. This study looks to expand the flotation knowledge base of various REMs through an improved understanding of their physico-chemical properties. The minerals investigated are bastnasite, monazite, eudialyte, and allanite. The study includes zeta potential and microflotation studies using an aromatic and alkyl hydroximate.
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