Processing of the Products of Segregation Smelting of the Ore from the Tomtor Deposit

Abstract

Abstract—The components of the pyrochlore–monazite ore of the Tomtor deposit are separated by segregation and reduction smelting. Upon segregation smelting, rare-earth metals are found to concentrate in a phosphate–salt melt and niobium, in a silicate melt. The chemical compositions and the microstructures of the silicate and phosphate–salt melts are studied. Carbothermic reduction of the silicate melt at 1600°C results in the formation of an alloy with a high niobium content, and rare-earth metal oxalate and hydroxide concentrates can be formed from the phosphate–salt melt by sequential processing by various acids. A technological scheme is proposed for combined processing of the pyrochlore–monazite ore of the Tomtor deposit.