Abstract:
The rare metals, tantalum and niobium, beryllium and rubidium, are commonly associated with each other on earth. They have been recognized as important strategic resources in recent years. In this paper, the occurrence research of niobium-tantalum-beryllium-rubidium on a low-grade and micro-fine disseminated rare metals deposit from Guangdong province was carried out, by combining advanced mineralogical determination technology with traditional process mineralogy methods. In order to provide a clarified guidance to process selection of subsequent mineral separation and comprehensive recovery of the ore. As a result, the ore is classified into tantalum-niobium-beryllium-rubidium granite type ore with strong alteration of albitzation and greisenization. In the ore, the valuable metals include tantalum, niobium, rubidium, beryllium, gallium and silver. Tantalum and niobium in the form of columbite-tantalite account for 68.51% and 62.72%, respectively. The beryllium in the form of beryl and phenacite account for 71.01% and 20.29%, respectively. The rubidium occurred in muscovite and feldspar account for 74.94% and 20.24%, respectively. While gallium in the ore is mainly concentrated in clay minerals, and silver is mainly present in sulfide minerals in the form of acanthite. The comprehensive recovery of valuable metals and tailing can be achieved by using combined process of gravity separation, magnetic separation and flotation.