Gravity Concentration of Zangon-Aya Monazite: A Study on the Enrichment of Rare-Earth Elements and the Effectiveness of Sluicing Method for Beneficiation,

Abstract

This study investigates the beneficiation of Zangon-Aya monazite using gravity concentration, focusing on the sluicing method to enhance the concentration of rare-earth elements (REEs). The Zangon-Aya monazite deposit, located in Kaduna State, Nigeria, was analyzed for its elemental composition, which revealed high concentrations of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) in the head sample. The gravity concentration process successfully concentrated REEs, including cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), and thorium (Th), in the concentrate, with concentrations of Ce rising from 0.17% in the head sample to 0.97% in the concentrate, and Nd increasing from 0.06% to 0.55%. The sluicing method also effectively reduced lighter silicate minerals like albite and orthoclase, while increasing the concentrations of titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V) in the concentrate. The findings suggest that gravity concentration using sluicing is an effective method for upgrading Zangon-Aya monazite, improving the recovery of valuable REEs and reducing gangue minerals. The study contributes valuable insights for improving the beneficiation of monazite ore in Nigeria, with potential implications for sustainable mining practices and REE extraction in line with global demand.