Recycling rare-earth-metal waste using hydrometallurgical methods

Abstract

The present review describes the state of the problem of extracting rare earth metals from secondary raw materials, such as high-coercivity magnets, nickel–metal hydride batteries (NiMH), and phosphors of coatings of fluorescent lamps. Methods for waste processing with mineral acids and other solvents, the removal of associated impurities from rare-earth components, separation, and deep purification (mainly by solvent extraction) have been considered. Data on the industrial applications of hydrometallurgical processes for rare earth metals recycling have been presented.