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1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths Limited Mumbai 022 24225778 +91 9869272093 [email protected] Website: www.irel.gov.in

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Page 1: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

11

Latest Scenario in Rare Earth

and Atomic Minerals in India

Dr. R. N. PatraChairman & Managing Director

Indian Rare Earths LimitedMumbai

022 24225778+91 [email protected]

Website: www.irel.gov.in

Page 2: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Presentation Summary

Introduction to Rare Earth (RE)

RE-Global scenario

Indian Context & Role of Indian Rare Earths Limited

Monazite Processing & Rare Earth Production

Strategic significance from the view point of its usage and nation’s growth

Page 3: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Major Minerals of RE of Commercial importance

MineralsChemical formula

Countries of origin Remark

Carbonate

Bastnaesite (Ce,La) FCO3USA, China &

Australia

Processing relatively simpler thanMonazite. It has larger content ofEuropium compared to Monazite. InChina it is associated with iron oremining.

Phosphate

Monazite (Ce,La,Th & U) PO4

Australia, India, Malaysia, Brazil,

Thailand & Korea

RE content more or less uniform around60% and minerals available in placerbeach sand resources. The ore containsTh & Uranium which are radioactive

Xenotime YPO4Malaysia, India,

ChinaYttrium major constituent. In Malaysiaproduction is associated with Tin mining

Apatite (CaRE)5[(PSi)O4]3(O,F) CIS, South Africa Occurs in Copper, Tin, Phosphate mining

Ion exchange clay

Weathered apatite & xenotime ore

concentrated in the soil in ionic form

China

Unique deposits found only in southernChina. Though lowest in rare earthcontents easiest to concentrate from theore. Rich source of Y, Eu, Tb & Dy

Page 4: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Minerals Chemical formula

Main Countries of

origin Remark

Oxides

Loparite(Ce,La,Ca,Na)

(TiNb)2 O6CIS Contents above 40% Titania

Euxenite(Y,Ce, Ca,U,Th) (Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6

USASource of Scandium &Yttrium. Recovered as byproduct from Bastnaesite

Sillicate

Gadolinite Be2FeY2Si2O10 USASource of Yttrium.Recovered as by productfrom Bastnaesite

In addition rare earths are also produced as a by product of uranium recovery from its ores in Canada.

Major Minerals of RE of Commercial importance

Page 5: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

RE contents of major source minerals (%)Light rare earths minerals Heavy rare earths minerals

Rare Earths Monazite Bastnasite Xenotime Ion exchange clay*

as oxide (Ce,La,Th & U) PO4 (Ce,La) FCO3 YPO4

India Australia, USA China, USA Malaysia China

China China

Lanthanum 22 17.4 - 27.6 23.0 - 35.0 0.5 - 1.4 1.8 - 43.4

Cerium 46 42.7 - 51.1 49.0 - 51.7 1.75 - 5.0 0.37 - 7.2

Praseodymium 5.5 4.1 - 5.4 3.7 - 6.2 0.47 - 0.7 0.02 - 7.4

Neodymium 20 14.6 - 18.7 9.5 - 18.5 1.59 - 3.5 3.0 - 31.6

Samarium 2.5 1.0 - 4.9 0.45 - 1.25 1.1 - 2.2 2.3 - 6.3

Europium 0.015 0.04 - 0.8 0.05 - 0.25 0.01 - 0.2 0.12 - 0.83

Gadolinium 1.2 0.5 - 6.6 0.16 - 0.7 3.4 - 5.0 3.0 - 6.8

Terbium 0.06 Trace - 0.7 0.01 - 0.1 0.9 - 1.2 trace - 1.29

Dysprosium 0.18 0.2 - 0.9 0.03 - 0.13 8.3 - 9.1 trace - 7.5

Holmium 0.02 Trace - 0.12 Trace - 0.05 1.98 - 2.6 trace - 1.64

Erbium 0.01 Trace - 0.3 Trace - 0.07 5.4 - 7.0 trace - 4.85

Thulium Nil Trace - 0.03 Trace - 0.0009 0.9 - 1.3 trace - 0.7

Ytterbium Nil 0.11 - 2.4 Trace - 0.0006 5.9 - 6.8 0.26 - 3.3

Lutetium Nil trace - 0.14 Trace - 0.0001 0.4 - 1.8 0.1 - 0.47

Yttrium 0.45 0.19 - 3.2 0.09 - 0.76 59.3 - 80.0 8.0 - 65.0

Page 6: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

RE-Major end uses

Page 7: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Rare Earth Occurrences

Page 8: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

RE Mines in Operation

USA

ChinaRussia

Malaysia

South Africa

Canada

Australia

Vietnam

Greenland

India

Brazil

Malawi

Page 9: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Major Mines in operation

APATITENangang, Guangdong, China;Nolans Bore, Australia;Hoidas Lake, Canada.

BASTNAESITEBaiyun Obo & Sichuan, China;Mt Pass, USA;Dong Pao, Vietnam;Dubbo Trachyte, Australia.

EUDIALYTEZeus, Canada;Steenstrupine, Greenland.

FERGUSONITENechalacho, Canada.

XENOTIMEPtinga, Brazil;Lahat Perak, Malaysia;Guandong, China

LOPARITELovozersky, Russia

MONAZITEIndia;Guangdong, China; Mount Weld, Australia;Kangankunde, MalawiZandkopsdrift, SASteenkampskaal, SA.

Page 10: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

RE - World Production & Reserves

Page 11: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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S.no Company Country Proposed REO Capacity

1 Lynas Corp Malaysia 22,0002 Molycorp Minerals USA 20,0003 Indian Rare Earths Limited India 5,0004 Great Western Minerals South Africa 2,5005 Alkane Resources Australia 2,6006 Vietnamese Gov/Toyata Tsusho/Sojitz Vietnam 3000 – 5,000

7 Arafura Resources Australia 20,0008 Avalon Rare Metals Canada 5,0009 Kazatomprom/Sumitomo Kazakhstan 15,000

10 Stans Energy Kyrgyzstan 2,00011 Minerals and Energy Greenland 43,70012 Rare Element Resources USA -

13 Resources Canada -14 Quest Rare Metals Canada -15 Ucore Uranium USA -16 US Rare Earths USA -17 Matamec Explorations Canada18 Etruscan Resources Namibia -19 Montero Mining Tanzania -20 Tasman Metals Sweden & Finland21 Neo Material Technologies/ Mitsubishi Brazil -

Total 1,38,800 – 1,42,800

Select RE projects outside China

Page 12: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths
Page 13: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Indian Context &

Role ofIndian Rare Earths Limited

Page 14: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Composition %

REEs as Re2O3 59.37

P2O5 27.03

ThO2 8.88

U3O8 0.35

CaO 1.24

SiO2 1.0

MgO 0.63

Fe2O3 0.32

Al2O3 0.12

PbO 0.18

TiO2 0.36

ZrO2 0.49

Monazite composition

Monazite is rich in LRE and lacks HRE

Indian source of RE

Page 15: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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• Color: Honey Yellow to Golden Yellow. Also Pale Yellow.

• Sp. Gravity: 4.6 - 5.47. Theoretically, higher Th content results in higher Sp. Gr.

• Shape: Subhedral to rounded grains

• Hardness: 5 to 5.5 on the Moh’s scale

• Crystal: Monoclinic, brittle with conchoidal or uneven fractures

• Magnetism: High magnetic susceptibility derived from para magnetism of R.E.

• R.E. & Th.: Typically 60% predominantly light R.E. ThO2 varies 4.0 -8.5%.

Properties of Monazite

Page 16: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Gazette notification S.O. 61 (E) dated 20.01.2006 under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 stipulatesthe prescribed substances, which are as follows:

Source Material – Uranium containing the mixture of isotopes and Uranium depleted in the isotope 235,– Thorium– Any other material containing one or more of the foregoing

Special Fissionable Material– Plutonium 239– Uranium 233 & Uranium enriched in the isotopes 235 or 233– Neptunium– Any material containing one or more of the foregoing.

Other Material (Non-nuclear materials for reactors, nuclear related dual – use materials, etc)– Deuterium, Heavy water– Nuclear grade graphite/ carbon– Zirconium, Berillium, Lithium, Hafnium, Niobium & Tantalum– Titanium Alloys– Tritium and its compounds– Radium 226, Boron, Helium-3– Alpha emitting radionuclides

Prescribed Substances

Page 17: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Associated Minerals

(i) Apatite, Beryl, Cassiterite, Columbite, Emerald, Felspar, Lepidolite, Mica, Pitchblende, Quartz, samarskite. Scheelite, Topaz, Tantalite, Tourmaline.

(ii) Iron, Manganese, Titanium, Vanadium and Nickel minerals.

(iii) Lead, Zinc, Copper, Cadmium, Arsenic, Antimony, Bismuth, Cobalt, Nickel, Molybdenum and Uranium minerals, and Gold and Silver, Arsenopyrite,Chalcopyrite Pyrite, Pyrrhotite and Pentlandite.

(iv) Chromium, Osmiridium, Platinum and Nickel minerals.

(v) Kyanite, Sillimanite, Corundum, Dumortierite and Topaz

(vi) Gold, Silver, Tellurium, Selenium and Pyrite..

(vii) Barytes, Fluorite, Chalcocite, Selenium and minerals of Zinc, Lead and Silver.

(viii) Tin and Tungsten minerals.

(ix) Limestone, Dolomite and Magnesite.

(x) Ilmenite, Monazite, Zircon, Rutile, [Leucoxene], Garnet and Sillimanite. (Beach Sand Minerals)

(xi) Sulphides of copper and iron.

(xii) Coal, Fireclay and Shale.

(xiii) Magnetite and Apatite.

(xiv) Magnesite and Chromite.

(xv) Talc, Soapstone and Steatite and Dolomite.

(xvi)Celesite, Phosphatic Nodules, Clay and Gypsum.

Page 18: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

Beach Sand Minerals

MINERAL COMPOSITION PROPERTIES

Ilmenite(50-60% TiO2)

Oxide of titanium & iron. Sp. Gr.:4.2-4.6

Magnetic & Conducting

Leucoxene (75-82% TiO2)

Medium Magnetic & Conducting

Rutile(> 92% TiO2)

Non Magnetic & Conducting

Zircon(64-66% ZrO2)

Zirconium SillicateSp. Gr.:4.7

Non Magnetic & Non Conducting

Monazite(58% RE2O3, 9% ThO2 & 27% P2O5)

Phosphate of Rare earths & Thorium

Sp. Gr.:5.2

Low Magnetic & Non Conducting

Sillimanite (56-58% Al2O3)

Aluminium SilicateSp. Gr.:3.2

Non Magnetic & Non Conducting

Garnet (43% FeO, 21% Al2O3, 36% SiO2)

Iron Aluminium SilicateSp. Gr.:4.1

Medium Magnetic & Non Conducting

Page 19: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Indian Reserves of Beach Sand Minerals (Million Tons)

MINERALS RESERVES

Ilmenite 593

Sillimanite 226

Garnet 168

Zircon 34

Rutile 31

Monazite 12

Total 1065

Source : Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research, Hyderabad Oct 2012

Page 20: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Mineral Occurrence

Page 21: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Three Stage Indian Nuclear Power Programme

Page 22: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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• Indian monazite discovered in 1908

• White titanium pigment production in 1909

• Zircon as substitute of SnO2 post 1st world war

• Atomic Energy Commission formed in 1948

• Export of monazite banned due to its thorium content

• Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) registered in 1950

• Monazite processing plant at IREL commissioned in 1952 in Aluva

Beach sand minerals processing

Page 23: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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HEAD OFFICE, Mumbai

RARE EARTHS DIV, Kerala

MINERAL DIVISION, Kerala

IRERC, Kerala

MINERAL DIVISION, Tamil Nadu

OSCOM, Odisha

IREL Units

Page 26: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Beach Washing /Dredging

Mineral Separation Plant

Heavies Upgrading Plant

Ilmenite, Rutile Garnet, Monazite, Zircon, Sillimanite

Ilmenite Rutile

Garnet Monazite, Zircon, Sillimanite

Monazite Zircon, Sillimanite

Tailing

Froth FlotationSillimanite

Zircon

High Tension Separator Conducting

Low Intensity Magnetic Separator Magnetic Separator Magnetic

Non-magnetic

Magnetic

Magnetic Non-magnetic

Dry/Wet Gravity separator

Mineral Separation Process

Page 27: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Monazite Processing

Entire phosphate values are recovered in caustic soda process

Monazite Processing

MONAZITE

CONC.H2SO4180oC

CAUSTIC SODA160oC

WATER DISSOLUTION

TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE

RE.TH.OXIDE CAKE

CONC.HCL LEACHING

RE CHLORIDE

TH.CONCENTRATE

TH. RE SO4 & H3PO4

WATER DISSOLUTION

SUCCESSIVE PRECIPITATION

RE COMPOUND

TH.PHOSPHATE

DIL.ACIDIC SOLUTION OFPO4, SO4, RE & TH.

Page 28: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Steam

T.S.P.

slurry

4

T.S.P. &

NaOH soln.

Drying

1. Alkali digestor

2. Leaching tanks

3. Drum filter

4. Crystalliser

5. Barometric condenser

6. Centrifuge

7. Dryer

8. T.S.P. storage

Cake for

RE recovery

Rare earths & thorium

hydroxide slurry

Mother liquor

for NaOH

recoveryTSP

Ground monazite Caustic lye

Water

1

2

Filtrate for

recycle

3

6

8

7

Water

5

4

Monazite Processing

Page 29: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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.

Thorium& rare earths

hydroxide cake

Hydrochloric

acid

Na2S

Na2SO4

BaCl2

Thorium

hydroxide

cake

Pb-Ba-cake

for disposal

RECl3 soln.

Slurry

pH-3

70oC

For R.E. fractionation

by solvent extraction,

R.E.F. production,R.EO.

Production& Hydrated

cerium oxide production.

Slurry

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1. Leaching tank

2. Filter

3. Deactivation tank

4. Drum filter

5. Evaporator

6. Flaker

7. Jumbo bag

ReCl3 Flake

Production of RE Chloride & Thorium Hydroxide

Page 30: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Monazite processing by sulphuric acid

Page 31: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

HEAVY RARE EARTH ELIMINATION

Composite RE chloride

(La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Y chl.)

HIGH PURITY La, Ce, Nd & Pr SEPARATION

HEAVIES

LEAN RECl

Sm-Gd purification

Yttriumpurification

Ce Chloride Nd ChlorideSm-Gd

chlorideY chloride

Pr ChlorideLa chloride

Y oxide(99.99%)

High Pure RE Production

Sm oxide(99.99%)

Gd oxide(99.99%)

La oxide(99.99%)

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ce Carbonate (99.99%)

Pr oxide(99%)

Nd oxide(99%)

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc Dy oxide (99.99%)

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Ppt. , Filt. & Calc

Tb oxide (99.99%)

Eu oxide (99.99%)

Page 32: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Sulphuric acid Route Caustic soda Route

Grinding of monazite not required Monazite has to be ground to finer than300 mesh

Uranium is recovered from single stream Uranium has to be separated from 3-4streams.

Uranium recovery is 95% Uranium recovery is 75% only

Energy consumption is less sincemonazite grinding is not required

Energy consumption is higher thansulphuric acid route

Processing cost is lower than causticsoda route since the main reagent usedviz sulphuric is cheaper

Processing cost is higher since the mainreagent used is caustic soda

Quantity Volume of radioactive wastegenerated is less

Quantity and volume of radioactivewaste generated is more than bysulphuric acid route

Helium recovery is expected to be better Part of the helium is lost during grindingof monazite.

Salient features of caustic & sulphuric acid process

Page 33: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Patented Process by Societe Products Chemiques Des Terres Rares, France

Caustic soda fusion to break Phosphate bond of Monazite at 150o C

The phosphate content of the ore is recovered as Tri-Sodium Phosphate do decahydrate crystals.

Rare Earths are leached from the fused mass by Hydrochloric acid dissolution.

Solvent extraction and ion exchange to separate Rare Earths in their purer forms.

A large scale facility was established to produce 100 tons per annum of 99% pureneodymium oxide by using a mono acidic phosphonic ester as a solvent.

Product mix comprises of chloride, flouride, hydroxide and carbonate of RE

Mixed RE products are exported to Japan and USA for catalytic and carbon arcapplications

Monazite processing at Aluva

Page 34: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Indian RE reserves are richer in lighter fractions and are deficient in heavier ones.

Indian reserves of Titanium and Zirconium are complimentary to use of RE

Applications of Rare Earths are significant in view of their usage in conventional &non-conventional sources of energy utilisation in particular with reference to the 3stage nuclear energy programme of the country.

Every 3 to 5 years a new use for rare earth material is being discovered and thepattern of their usage is significantly changed in every decade

Very close association of industry with research and development activities areessential for developing effective future marketing strategies for these products.

Strategic Importance of RE in India

Page 35: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Most of the rare earth products finding high tech use are related to strategic areasviz. Defence, fibre optic communications, space and nuclear energy, etc.

The country should be self sufficient in using assimilating and developing the hightechnology rare earth applications.

Dependence on a single country as a supply source for these rare earths materialsmay not be desirable.

Pricing of rare earth products from the view point of developing its market isdependent on its substitutability in various applications and sensitiveness to priceof ultimate product/service.

Strategic Importance of RE in India

Page 36: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Zirconium sponge is used for manufacture of nuclear gradezirconium alloy which is used for making nuclear fuelbundles.

Production of zirconium sponge involves consumption ofchlorine and magnesium metals which happen to also be vitalprocess inputs for producing titanium sponge. Production oftitanium sponge can be tied up with the production of bothnuclear grade zirconium sponge as well as zirconium spongefor other non-nuclear applications with a view to achievingenhanced production economy by way of establishing highervolume of production of these materials and by exploitingsynergies of use of major common input chemicals such aschlorine, petroleum coke and magnesium metal in theseprocesses.

Strategic Importance of Zircon & Titanium

Page 37: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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• SX developed in mid 20th century with nuclear energy

• Simplified processing by reduction of process steps

• Higher productivity and plant through put

• Increased purity and recovery

• Use of simple process equipment and conventional design.

• Negligible solvent consumption and improved economy

• Use of common organic chemicals/re-agent as solvent

SX-its history & role in industry

Page 38: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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• Solvents- acidic, acidic esters & chelating agent, basic, alcohol, ketones, alkyl/aryl sulphoxide

• Diluents- aliphatic, aromatic

• Modifiers/synergistic agents – aliphatic/aromatic alcohol, acidic ester

• Organic compound of common use can be utilised

SX- the agents

Ester of phosphoric acid- tributyl phosphate

Alcohol- butanol, isodecanol

Dialkyl phosphoric acid – 2 diethyl hexyl phosphoric acid

Tertiary alkyl primary amene- Primene JMT

Common use solvents:

Page 39: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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• Solvents are inflammable and bio-toxic

• Limited ion/solute carrying capacity of solvent

• De-gradation of solvents and its cost

• Extractor having low solvent hold up and high efficiency

• Difficulties in obtaining proprietary solvents in India

• Feed pretreatment to remove suspended solids, harmful ions

• Stringent process control – O/A ratio, acidity, solute conc.

SX-Issues & Challenges

Page 40: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Economic & Population Growth (growing need for energy)

Depleting resources-Energy-Rare Earths/ Metals

Technology Requirement- Storage of thorium as thorium phosphate

- Process for continuous titanium metal production

SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT

Page 41: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) under the Department of Atomic Energy isinvolved in processing of monazite for production of various RE compounds since1952.

The RE available in monazite comprises basically of the lighter fractions. Technologyfor producing rare earths from monazite and that for producing separated high purerare earths of 4N purity is available with IREL.

IREL is interested in sourcing heavier fractions of RE and is willing to associate withforeign companies in the above quest.

IREL is on the lookout for technologies to manufacture RE metals & RE permanentmagnets such as samarium cobalt and neodymium iron boron magnet oncommercial scale.

Expected Cooperation

Page 42: Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India...1 Latest Scenario in Rare Earth and Atomic Minerals in India Dr. R. N. Patra Chairman & Managing Director Indian Rare Earths

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THANK YOU