Development and application of an analysis method for the determination of rare earth elements in silicate-rich samples by NaO sintering and ICP-MS analysis.

The performance of a fast and simple analytical procedure for rare earth elements (REEs) quantification from secondary sources was investigated in the present work. Seven silicate-rich certified reference materials (CRMs) in the form of Andesite (JA-1), Basalt (JB-3), Rhyolite (JR-1, JR-2), Granite (JG-2), Granodiorite (JG-3), and Till (TILL-1), were used for the optimization and characterization of the analysis method. The optimized method was used in the analysis of nine mining wastes selected within the ENVIREE project, under the ERA-MIN Program of the 7th Framework, having as the main aim to ensure a policy securing long-term access of REEs secondary sources at reasonable costs.