Modes of Occurrence of Critical Metal Elements (Li, REEs and Other Critical Elements) in Low-Grade Bauxite from Southern Shanxi Province, China

The low-grade bauxite in southern Shanxi Province, China is enriched multiple critical metal elements, including Li, Ga, V, Se, and rare earth elements (REEs), which have reached the standard of comprehensive utilization as independent deposits or associated resources. Even more importantly, identifying modes occurrence these essential for designing technologies to extract metals from ores. This study used a combination direct (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometer), indirect (size sieving method, float-sink experiment, correlation analysis) methods effectively reveal distribution different identified mineral phases. results regarding are follows: Li was mainly hosted cookeite an mineral; Ga with diaspore; anatase main carrier V; REEs were present multiples occurrence, most common goyazite, lesser extent, florencite; Se primarily occurs sulfides. contributes development resources by providing useful reference.