Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from acidic mine waters by integration of a selective chelating ion-exchanger and a solvent impregnated resin

A polymeric ion-exchange resin, incorporating methyl-amino-phosphonic (TP260) functionalities, and a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) tri-methylpentylphosphinic acid (TP272), were evaluated for the selective separation of Rare Earth Elements (REE) from Transition (TE), post -Transition (PTE), Alkaline (AE) in acidic mine waters (AMW). The influence functional groups nature acidity dependence studied their effects on efficiencies REE removal TE/PTE analysed Both resins provided good factors by control treated effluent once Fe(III), major component AMW, had been removed precipitation. TP272 containing (Cyanex 272) onto network, showed higher affinity towards Heavy (HRRE) than Light (LRRE) (pH > 4). Higher pre-concentration achieved (e.g., 20–30) comparison with TP260 phosphonic (2?5), as pH extraction window is moderate region (1?5). integration series both could be used to separate recover HREE LREE AMW generated concentrates secondary resources clean energy technology industry.