The Eskişehir-Beylikova deposit represents a strategically significant source of rare earth elements (REEs). Within a geometallurgical framework, this study investigates REE extraction through a sequential process of sulphuric acid baking and water leaching. Under the optimised conditions: acid-to-sample ratio of 1:1, baking temperature of 250 °C, and baking time of 60 min yielded high recoveries of 92% La, 89% Ce, 88% Pr, 86% Nd, 92% Th, and 96% U, while heavy REEs were extracted at 60-80% range. Beyond these findings, the novelty of this study was underpinned by advancing the understanding of the mechanisms that constrain REE dissolution, which have not yet comprehensively clarified. Relative to prior studies, the present work systematically delineates the dissolution behaviour of previously under-characterised REE host phases basically Th-parisite, monazite, and REE carbonates thereby refining the mineralogical controls governing process performance. By integrating X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with mineral liberation analysis (SEM-MLA), phase transformations, mineral associations, and microstructural attributes were systematically correlated with the leaching behaviour of REEs. These findings demonstrated that coupling advanced mineralogical characterisation with process optimisation could overcome dissolution barriers, establishing an original pathway for enhancing REE recovery from complex ores.

Figure shows elemental distribution regarding to minerals, a: Th; b: Nd, c: Pr (Baştürkcü et al., 2025)

The article can be read via the following link:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00084433.2025.2590802#abstract

Related Article: Baştürkcü, E., Timur, S. İ., & Yüce, A. E. (2025). Leaching behaviour of rare earth elements from a complex ore via sulfuric acid baking: a geometallurgical perspective. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00084433.2025.2590802