Rare earth elements study of Cretaceous coals from Benue Trough basin, Nigeria: Modes of occurrence for greater sustainability of mining

The rare earth elements (REE) possess a beneficial combination of chemical and physical properties, making them valuable for most advanced branches engineering technology. Alternative sources REE are desirable due to limited reserves conventional containing minerals over the world combined with disproportionate supply demand in commodity markets. This study investigated occurrence carbon nanotubes (CNTs) Cretaceous Nigerian coals prospective industrial applications. Results show that coals’ crystalline mineral matter comprises quartz, kaolinite, illite minor quantities feldspar, hematite, magnetite, calcite, dolomite, which indicate detrital origins. Elemental relationships (such as Al2O3/TiO2, Cr/Th vs. Sc/Th, Co/Th La/Sc) suggest sediment-source regions mafic, intermediate or felsic compositions. either strongly fractionated characterized by light-enrichment along outlook coefficient (Coutl) values substitute yttrium (REY) recovery. Several including jarosite, goethite, epsomite, ferrohexahydrite, natrojarosite, rozenite, gypsum were detected trace amounts. phases not identified but only amorphous Ce, La, Nd, Th, Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Hf. Maceral composition (high vitrinite), presence iron-containing (hematite magnetite), high contents, reduced volatile low ash content favoured formation naturally occurring multi-walled nanotube (MWCNTs) structures Maiganga (MGA) coal. Hence, present is first scientific report on REEs MWC nanophases from Benue Trough.