Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy of the Rare Earths

Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy of the Rare Earths 

Abstract This chapter is about mineral processing of the rare earths (making the mined ore into a concentrate of the valuable minerals), and extractive metallurgy of the rare earths (how to get the metals out of the concentrate). The mineral processing of three well-known exploited ore deposits is discussed in more detail. 

In Chap. 2, the most important occurrences of the rare earflis were described. This chapter will deal with what happens when the rare earths have been mined. It 

Mineral processing (sometimes called mineral dressing or ore dressing) is the preparation of ore from the stage that the material is brought out of the mine (also called run of mine or as-mined ) through the production of a mineral concentrate, from which the desired metals can be extracted. 

Voncken, The Rare Earth Elements, SpringerBriefs in Earth Sciences, 

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Study of membrane extraction processes is a matter of primary importance for intensive development of separation and concentration methods of different nature substrates, especially such valuable ones as rare and scattered metals. The imique properties of rare earth metals (REM) allow using them in different realms of modem science and technology when making selective catalysts, magnets (samarium and neodymium), optical systems, luminophors, and ceramic capacitors. REMs are used in metallurgy for production of special cast iron grades, steel, and nonferrous metals alloys. REM additives increase quality of metallurgical products improve their properties, particularly shock resistance, viscosity, and corrosion resistance. Such materials are used primarily in aerospace industry. Extraction of REM from minerals is a complex process. 

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