Energy Effects on Structural and Chemical Transformations of Base Minerals of Eudialyte Concentrate in Nitric Acid Leaching

Abstract

Using the methods of X-ray phase analysis, analytical scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the influence of preliminary energy effects on transformations of eudialyte concentrate base minerals during nitric acid leaching, their micromorphology and phase composition of the surface is studied. It is found that preliminary mechanical activation of the concentrate provides a 34–45% increase in the recovery of zirconium and the sum of rare-earth metal oxides into pregnant solution. Electrochemical processing of mineral suspension during nitric acid leaching and, to a greater extent, ultrasound effects contribute to an additional increase in the recovery of these elements into pregnant solution by 12–23% due to the cleaning of mineral grain surface from amorphous phases and formation of structural inhomogeneities.