YE Tong¹，GU Jing²，WANG Gan-lu¹，HUANG Zhi-long^2*

(1. College of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China;
2. Stake Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China) 

Abstract: The researches on the rare earth, rare metal, and rare dispersed elements (RRR elements) in bauxite deposits at home and abroad in recent years show that the RRR elements in many bauxites and red muds have great potential value for comprehensive utilization. The RRR elements in some deposits have even reached the requirements for industrial exploitation. The RRR elements occurred usually in the forms of isomorphism entering into the mineral lattice and ionic adsorption on the mineral surface, but a small amount of independent rare earth minerals have been found in many bauxite ores. The factors affecting the enrichment of RRR elements in bauxite deposits are complex. They include metallogenic protolith, pH value, REDOX environment and RRR elements-bearing minerals. At present, the recycling process of RRR elements from the red mud of electrolytic aluminum tailings is becoming more and more mature, with the main extraction method of acid leaching and extraction (ion exchange). Because the mineral components of bauxite are small sized and complex ones and contain many kinds of RRR elements with relatively low contents, so the application of relatively high resolution and accuracy microscopic testing technology in the future will further promote the in-depth study on the distribution, occurrence form and enrichment mechanism of RRR elements in bauxite.
 
Keywords: Bauxite deposit; associated rare earth, rare metal and rare dispersed elements; occurrence and state; enrichment mechanism

ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 41, No.4/5, 2021, page 391-399