Introduction
Zircon (Zirconium Silicate) is primarily mined to produce ceramics, foundry sands, and zirconium metal. However, because the crystal structure of Zircon is very similar to Xenotime, it often “scavenges” Heavy Rare Earth Elements like Yttrium and Lutetium during its formation.
Composition & Chemistry
Formula: ZrSiO4
Zircon is extremely physically and chemically durable (it can survive billions of years of erosion). Extracting rare earths from it is difficult because cracking the crystal lattice requires intense heat and alkali roasting.
The Economic Angle
Because Zircon is mined in huge quantities (millions of tonnes per year) for the ceramics industry, even a small percentage of REE content represents a massive potential supply. Currently, most of this REE content is trapped in the processed zirconia or discarded, but new technologies are looking to unlock this “free” source of heavy rare earths.