New strategic key metal mineral "Niobium Baotou Mine"! The latest discovery by Chinese scientists

Recently, Chinese scientists discovered a new mineral - niobium Baotou ore , which is a new mineral rich in strategic metals. The rich element niobium has important uses in China's nuclear industry system and other fields .

How are new minerals discovered and named? Let's take a look ↓

What is Niobium Baotou Ore?

Niobium Baotou ore is a silicate mineral rich in barium, niobium, titanium, iron and chlorine . It is found in the Bayan Obo deposit in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia. Niobium Baotou ore is brown to black in color, columnar or plate-like in shape, and has a particle size of about 20-80 microns.

In 2012, the exploration team found a niobium-rich mineral in several samples they retrieved. Its chemical composition was different from the Baotou ore found in the original mining area, which led to further research. According to engineers, the niobium content of this mineral is very high and it is expected to be used to extract niobium. "Niobium is a strategic key metal element in China. It is very important in the nuclear industry system. It can also be used to make superconducting materials and high-temperature alloys."

It is understood that the Bayan Obo deposit, where the niobium Baotou ore was discovered, has a rich variety of minerals. More than 170 types of minerals have been discovered so far. The niobium Baotou ore is the 17th new mineral discovered in the deposit.

How are new minerals discovered ?

So far, researchers from China National Nuclear Corporation have discovered 11 new minerals. The researchers told CCTV that it takes four steps to discover a new mineral.

The first step is chemical composition analysis. With the help of electron probe equipment, a high-energy focused electron beam is directed to the surface of the sample to measure the content of various elements and determine the chemical formula, thereby achieving accurate detection of the chemical composition of the sample. This is a critical step in the study of new minerals.

Chemical composition alone is not enough. To determine whether it is a new mineral, the mineral crystal structure needs to be analyzed, which leads to the second step - sample preparation . "Using a focused ion beam, we cut out a mineral particle of about 20 microns x 10 microns x 7 microns. Because we need to analyze the crystal structure, we must ensure that its composition is pure."

The third step is to collect crystal structure information. "Put the particles on the sample holder of the instrument. When the light (X-rays) passes through the crystal and is received by the receiver, it carries the crystal structure information. Finally, it was solved that the structure of niobium baotouite is a tetragonal crystal, which is the arrangement of atoms with each other."

Obtaining the chemical composition and crystal structure of the new mineral means that the basic information collection of the new mineral has been completed. Next, researchers will conduct spectral analysis and physical characteristics testing to improve the relevant information of the new mineral, and finally summarize the materials and submit a new mineral application, which will be approved internationally after passing the review.

What is the science behind naming new minerals?

It is not easy to obtain international approval, and the naming of new minerals requires layers of review.

After obtaining new mineral data, researchers must apply to the International Mineralogical Association, the world's largest mineralogical organization. The chairman of the International Mineralogical Association's New Minerals, Classification and Nomenclature Committee will conduct an initial review of the application, point out any deficiencies in the research, and give recommendations.

Fan Guang, senior engineer of CNNC Geological Science and Technology: After obtaining the approval of the chairman of the International Mineralogical Association's New Minerals, Classification and Nomenclature Committee, we will let the members of the International Mineralogical Association's New Minerals, Classification and Nomenclature Committee vote. If it is approved by a two-thirds majority, the chairman of the International Mineralogical Association's New Minerals, Classification and Nomenclature Committee will issue a letter of approval, which means that the mineral has been officially approved, and we will have a formal article published within two years.

So far, my country has discovered more than 180 new minerals, including Chang'e Stone, Mianning Uranium Mine, and Luan Lithium Mica. Researchers said that the discovery of new minerals represents the level of a country's mineralogical research, and the discovery of new minerals is the process of our continuous pursuit of perfection, understanding the world, and understanding nature.