Abstract: Described herein are technologies for bauxite or kaolin mining operations. A detector is used to detect the presence of a pathfinder element or radioactivity indicating a presence of a rare-earth element. Once the pathfinder element or radioactivity is detected, the mined material is segregated from material mined in which a pathfinder element or radioactivity was not detected. Rare-earth elements are extracted from the segregated material. Once the rare-earth elements are extracted, the material is returned to normal mining operation processing steps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for sequestering heavy metal atoms, including hazardous atoms such as lead and radiocesium, from contaminated areas. The heavy metal atoms may be removed by contacting the contaminated area with a potassium-depleted muscovite-enriched composition. The compositions may also be incorporated into building materials to create structures to safely house nuclear reactors and other devices which may accidentally release heavy metal atoms.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies for concentrating rare-earth elements from a heavy fraction of grit in gangue produced in kaolin mining. In some examples, grit is separated as a non-clay fraction of gangue produced in a kaolin mining operation. The grit is separated into a heavy mineral grit sub-fraction and a light mineral grit sub-fraction. Rare-earth elements, particularly heavy rare-earth elements, are thereafter extracted from the heavy mineral grit sub-fraction using various extraction technologies.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies for concentrating rare-earth elements from a heavy fraction of grit in gangue produced in kaolin mining. In some examples, grit is separated as a non-clay fraction of gangue produced in a kaolin mining operation. The grit is separated into a heavy mineral grit sub-fraction and a light mineral grit sub-fraction. Rare-earth elements, particularly heavy rare-earth elements, are thereafter extracted from the heavy mineral grit sub-fraction using various extraction technologies.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies for concentrating rare-earth elements from a heavy fraction of grit in gangue produced in kaolin mining. In some examples, grit is separated as a non-clay fraction of gangue produced in a kaolin mining operation. The grit is separated into a heavy mineral grit sub-fraction and a light mineral grit sub-fraction. Rare-earth elements, particularly heavy rare-earth elements, are thereafter extracted from the heavy mineral grit sub-fraction using various extraction technologies.