Background

Rare earth elements (REE) include the lanthanide series, yttrium, and scandium. REEs are vital components in many technologies, including:

• Catalysts
• Specialty glass
• Fiber optics
• Rare earth magnets, lasers, and capacitors
• Nuclear and EV batteries
• Smartphones, computers, televisions
• New-generation light bulbs and lamps
• New-generation lenses and telescopes
• Aerospace, aviation, and advanced electronics

Mining for REEs is spread globally. The REEs are typically dispersed rather than concentrated in rare earth ores. However, various groups of REEs can be profitably mined and extracted from minerals such as bastnäsite, monazite, loparite, and lateritic clays, as well as several other mineral and rock formations.

XRF is ideal for analyzing REEs in mining, throughout processing and extraction, as well as in the final uses or products and recycling.

Scope

The analysis of lateritic clay rich in the rare earth elements La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Y is demonstrated. Also shown is a demonstration of analyzing an expanded REE group in the more concentrated forms during processing and extraction.