A new mineral has been discovered! - Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral
Recently, media reporters learned from the Science and Technology Department of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that the newly discovered and named mineral "Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral" in the Bayan Obo Mine in Baotou City by national researchers was recently approved by the New Minerals and Nomenclature Committee of the International Mineralogical Association.
It is understood that the Bayan Obo Mine is the world's largest rare earth deposit and a treasure trove of mineral resources in China. So far, more than 210 minerals have been discovered, making it the primary location for new mineral discoveries in China. The newly discovered "Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral" is the 21st new mineral discovered in this deposit.
（Morphology, production state and mineral association of calcium-neodymium fluorocarbons. China Geological Survey）
As a leader in the rare earth element family today, neodymium plays a vital role in promoting the application of rare earths in high-tech fields such as permanent magnet materials and laser materials. The newly discovered Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral belongs to the calcium rare earth fluorocarbonate series of minerals, a neodymium-rich analogue of the common rare earth mineral fluorocarbonate-calcium-cerium mineral, and is an important mineral raw material for neodymium resources.
It is understood that "Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral" is yellowish-brown to brown and coexists with minerals such as calcite, fluorite, aegirine, riebeckite, and magnetite. The average content of neodymium oxide is about 30%, and the average content of rare earth oxide is about 60%. It also has complex crystal microstructure characteristics such as polymorphism and epitaxial intergrowth. According to experts, the discovery of "Fluorocarbonate-Calcium-Neodymium Mineral" is of great significance for enriching the basic theoretical knowledge of rare earth fluorocarbonate mineralogy, understanding the occurrence state and substitution mechanism of rare earth elements in Bayan Obo, and understanding the formation and evolution of mineral deposits, element occurrence states, element migration, and enrichment mechanisms.
Source: Baotou News Network, Northern News