Main problems in the current ionic adsorption rare earth exploration specifications and their amendment proposals

The current ionic adsorption rare earth geologic exploration specifications are not in concert with the extraction technology specifically designed for the mineral, which has caused some problems. One of the main problems is that mineral deposit evaluation object is ascribed as “whole -phase” rare earth inappropriately; while no specific evaluation goes to the truly available "ion-phase" rare earth at present. The general industrial indexes are based on “whole-phase” rare earth, and the evaluation object lacks pertinence and practicability. The implementation of the specifications will lead to the following consequences: rare earth reserve (resource) calculated by “whole-phase” rare earth is large, while available “ion-phase” rare earth only accounts for part of it, with a considerable part of so-called reserve (resource) having no industrial utilization value; inaccurate estimation of the reserve (resource) of “ion-phase” rare earth; the result of deposit evaluation might mislead macro -level policy -making to some degree, causing trouble to the future exploitation and management of reserves. In addition, the ore “preparability” research content set by the specifications does not adapt to the current extraction process and is not compatible with each other; the general layout of reconnaissance project lacks flexibility and applicability; speedy, simple, economical and applicable reconnaissance means is in short. Evaluation object and general industrial index are discussed, and amendment proposal is put forward. The focus of the geologic exploration work is proposed from the perspective of technology.