Rare Element Resources
Bear Lodge Project
Canadian NI 43-101
Technical
Report
October 9
th
, 2014
10135-200-46 - Rev. 0
17-25
Rare Earth Hydroxide Precipitation
17.8.3
Complete precipitation of REE hydroxides essentially free of thorium is finally
accomplished by the addition of excess ammonium hydroxide solution in reactor
(600-REA-020). The precipitate is filtered in filter press (600-PFT-004) and dried in
screw dryer (600-SCD-001). The filtrate is an ammonium nitrate solution that is sent
to storage tank (650-TAK-001) for reuse and recovery of ammonium nitrate
byproduct.
REE Precipitation Chemistry
Typical REE hydroxide precipitation reaction
RE(NO
3
)
3
+ 3*NH
4
(OH) → RE(OH)
3
+ 3* NH
4
NO
3
Reaction Extent: 100%
In the above reaction, RE is a rare earth element or Yttrium.
Rare Earth Oxide Final Product
17.8.4
Conversion to the final REE oxide product occurs in screw dryer (600-SCD-001) and
then stored in bin (600-BIN-004). The screw dryer operates at 250
o
C and the dryer
vapor stream is condensed in scrubber (600-SCR-001) using cooling water. The
condensate is reused in the process to reduce water consumption. The product is
packaged in bagging machine (600-BGM-001) and stored until sold.
Rare Earth Hydroxide to Oxide Conversion Chemistry
Typical REE hydroxide to oxide conversion reaction
2*RE(OH)
3
+ Heat → RE
2
O
3
+ 3*H
2
O
Reaction Extent: 100%
In the above reaction, RE is a rare earth element or Yttrium.
