Processing the ores of rare-earth elements

Significant academic research and moderate commercial process innovation on rare-earth element (REE) processing have been underway for decades. The last several years seen exponential growth in due to demand of REE that is threatened by supply risks environmental obstacles. industry appears be at the intersection strong, but conflicting forces, including public political support a Green Revolution sustainability, as well need clean, reliable, socially responsible chain. recoveries from ore are limited current technology plant practice 50–80 percent. Increasing can partially satisfied recycling, reliable continuous increases will also require new mineral resources, improved efficiency, lower production costs. This article reviews summarizes past technologies, commonly employed separation routes methods, suggests ways increase efficiency future processing. Example bastnäsite Mountain Pass Mine, CA, (b) monazite concentrate Manchester NJ.