Abstract:By means of polarizing microscope, automatic mineral quantitative analysis system (AMICS), scanning electron microscope, energy spectrum analyzer combined with chemical analysis and other analytical methods, the material composition, distribution characteristics of rare earth minerals and occurrence state of rare earth elements of Bayan Obo tailings were studied.The results show that the content of rare earth (REO) in the tailings is 6.42%, the rare earth minerals are mainly bastnaesite and monazite, and the gangue minerals are mainly dolomite, calcite, quartz, feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, mica, barite and apatite;The dissemination of rare earth minerals is fine, and the degree of dissociation of fluorocerite and monazite is 55.07% and 50.47%, respectively. The dissemination of rare earth minerals is very complicated with gangue minerals.About 95% of rare earth elements occur in rare earth independent minerals, and about 5% of rare earth elements are dispersed in other minerals as isomorphism or fine inclusions.Based on the distribution characteristics of rare earth minerals and the occurrence characteristics of rare earth elements, it is recommended to adopt the process of classified-grind-flotation to carry out the test, so as to realize the effective recovery of rare earth minerals.