CHEN Man-zhi1, FU Yong1,2*, XIA Yong3, XIE Zhuo-jun3, ZHOU Ke-lin1, ZHANG Peng1
(1. College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China；
2. Institute of Mineral Resource，Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037,China；
3. State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China)
Abstract: Phosphorite is usually associated with the enriched rare earth elements, thus it is a potential REE resource with high development and utilization values. The phosphorite-type REE ore deposit is widely distributed in China, with high REE contents and comprehensive recovery value. It has the associated REE resources just less than those of the independent REE deposits. By analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of phosphorite deposits in China and the world, we have summarized the metallogenesis, geological background, sedimentary environment, lithological assemblage, and REE geochemical characteristics of typical phosphorite-type REE deposits in China in this paper. In addition, combining with the comparative and coupling relationships between P2O5 contents and respective ΣREE contents, δCe, δEu, MREE/ΣREE and MREE/LREE values of phosphorites in different strata, we have discussed the REE distribution patterns, the REE enrichment mechanism and controlling factors of phosphorites, and the resources of typical phosphorite-type REE deposits in China. At the same time, we have summarized the domestic techniques for high efficiently and environmental friendly extracting REE from phosphorites, and discussed if there is good feasibility for industrial development and utilization of REE resources from the phosphorites. Therefore, it is believed that the extraction of rare earth resources from phosphorites can obtain good social and economic benefits, can effectively alleviate the environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by the ion-adsorption rare earth mining in the southern China, and can provide a new REE resource channel for the gradual depletion of REE resources in China.
Keywords: REE resource prospective; spacial and temporal distribution; REE geochemical characteristics; deposit genesis; phosphorite
ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 39, No.4, 2019, page 345-358
