Measurement of rare earths elements in Kakul phosphorite deposits of Pakistan using instrumental neutron activation analysis

摘要

The rare earth elements (REEs) content of Kakul phosphate rock (PR) from different localities of the main Hazara deposits of Pakistan were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). 25 phosphorite samples were collected from different phosphorite sites and 6 samples representing different batches from the crushing plant near Kakul Mine. Concentrations of seven REEs (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Sm, Tb and Yb) were determined in the PR samples. The highest amounts of Heavy and light rare earth elements (HREE and LREE) were quantified in the PR samples collected at the Phosphate Rock Crushing Plant while the lowest amounts of these REEs were measured in the Lambidogi Phosphorite deposit samples. Comparison with global data showed the REEs content of the studied PRs show lower range for all REEs and mostly comparable to the data reported by Israel and Syria. Calculated chondrite ratio for these elements depicts enrichment of LREEs in all phosphorite deposits.