Technology development for rare earth cleaner hydrometallurgy in China

• Published in: Rare metals Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 215 - 222
• Main Authors: Huang, Xiao-Wei, Long, Zhi-Qi, Wang, Liang-Shi, Feng, Zong-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Berlin Heidelberg Nonferrous Metals Society of China 01.04.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Chemistry and Materials Science; China; Cleaning; Deposition; Energy; Hydrometallurgy; Industrial applications; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Physical Chemistry; Purification; Rare earth metals; Separation; Utilization; 中国; 可持续发展; 提取技术; 清洁剂; 清洁生产; 湿法冶金工艺; 离子吸附; 稀土矿; Rare earths; Cleaner production; Separation and purification; Hydrometallurgy
• ISSN: 1001-0521; 1867-7185
• DOI: 10.1007/s12598-015-0473-x

China is the global leader in rare earth （RE） production using hydrometallurgical processes. Advantageous extraction techniques of rare earths from Baotou mixed rare earth minerals, bastnaesite, and ion-adsorption clays of rare earth deposits have been developed in China. The separation and purification technologies have also achieved rapid development. The industrial application processes for rare earth hydrometallurgy were summarized in the present paper. With the large demands and rapid development of rare earths, the issues of resources and environment are more prominent. This review gives an overview of the main processes that were developed in the past toward greener hydrometallurgy of rare earths in China. Based on the development of the rare earth industry, comprehensive utilization and cleaner production should still be focused on in the future, to support the sustainable development.