Investigation of Rare Earth Element Contents in Mazıdağı (Mardin) Phosphate Rock

Rocks containing phosphate minerals with sufficient purity and quantity are defined as phosphate or phosphate rock. In this study, the contents of rare earth elements in the Mazıdağı phosphate rock were investigated. It was determined that the chemical composition of the ore has high P₂O₅ (23.72%) and CaO (54.36%) values. The distribution of rare earth elements, as determined by ICP-MS/MS analysis, shows that Y (31.91 ppm), La (10.63 ppm), Nd (5.48 ppm), Ce (4.71 ppm), and U (41.85 ppm) are the most prominent elements. The P₂O₅ levels in the samples indicate a potential for commercially viable phosphate ore. The high CaO content suggests that the phosphate units are predominantly enriched with fluorapatite. This structure supports the possibility that rare earth elements (REEs) could be incorporated into the crystal structure of apatite. Analyses of phosphate sludges also revealed results such as Yttrium (Y): 31.91 ppm, Lanthanum (La): 10.63 ppm, Neodymium (Nd): 5.48 ppm, and Uranium (U): 41.85 ppm. These values indicate that the ore is not only significant for its phosphorus content but also represents a valuable resource in terms of strategic elements. Keywords: Phosphate rock, rare earth element, advanced technology, Mazıdagı