Microanalysis and signature of rare earth elements in geochemical samples using neutron activation analysis

Nuclear techniques are applied for exploration and efficient tapping of natural resources in finding promising resources of mining and mineral processing industries. The rare earth elements (REEs) in four fluorite samples, collected from Nuba Mountains are determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. The concentration of 11 REEs (Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tb, Yb, Lu) was measured and found within ranges between 685 and 1747 ppm. The Ca is a major element in the four samples. The Fe, Al, Na, Ba and Sr are found as minor elements in the investigated samples. In addition, tracer levels of U, Th, Cs, V and Sc are also detected. The signature of Ce, La and Nd as light REEs is characterized in all samples under this study. The enrichment types of light-REEs (L-type), medium-REEs (M-type) and several distinct features of some REEs e.g., Ce and Eu anomalies are identified and described as the signature of REEs in the geochemical samples. These results have demonstrated promising materials that could be used for hydrometallurgy processing to get significant amounts of REEs.