Bastnäsite
Bastnäsite+ 1 related classifications
Bastnäsite is a fluoro-carbonate mineral and the single largest source of rare earths. It is typically found in Carbonatite complexes. It is famously the primary ore mineral at Mountain Pass (USA) and Bayan Obo (China). It is rich in Light Rare Earths.
Processing
DifficultyMedium
Processing & Metallurgy
Processed similarly to other carbonatite-hosted ores. Flotation is used to produce a high-grade concentrate (e.g., 60% REO), which is then chemically treated.
Related Projects
1 FoundTypical Composition
The set of elements typically dominant in Bastnäsite deposits.