AU2020200816A1 - Process for leaching rare earth elements - Google Patents
Process for leaching rare earth elements Download PDFInfo
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- AU2020200816A1 AU2020200816A1 AU2020200816A AU2020200816A AU2020200816A1 AU 2020200816 A1 AU2020200816 A1 AU 2020200816A1 AU 2020200816 A AU2020200816 A AU 2020200816A AU 2020200816 A AU2020200816 A AU 2020200816A AU 2020200816 A1 AU2020200816 A1 AU 2020200816A1
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- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- iron
- solution
- leaching
- ree
- rare earth
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 71
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 64
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 56
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- MUBZPKHOEPUJKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Oxalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(O)=O MUBZPKHOEPUJKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K iron trichloride Chemical compound Cl[Fe](Cl)Cl RBTARNINKXHZNM-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000011541 reaction mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 235000006408 oxalic acid Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- WURFKUQACINBSI-UHFFFAOYSA-M ozonide Chemical class [O]O[O-] WURFKUQACINBSI-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229910021577 Iron(II) chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- NMCUIPGRVMDVDB-UHFFFAOYSA-L iron dichloride Chemical compound Cl[Fe]Cl NMCUIPGRVMDVDB-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- OUUQCZGPVNCOIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M Superoxide Chemical class [O-][O] OUUQCZGPVNCOIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052684 Cerium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 229910052693 Europium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 229910052779 Neodymium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 2
- ZMIGMASIKSOYAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N cerium Chemical compound [Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce][Ce] ZMIGMASIKSOYAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract 2
- OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N europium atom Chemical compound [Eu] OGPBJKLSAFTDLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 229910052746 lanthanum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 2
- FZLIPJUXYLNCLC-UHFFFAOYSA-N lanthanum atom Chemical compound [La] FZLIPJUXYLNCLC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract 2
- QEFYFXOXNSNQGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N neodymium atom Chemical compound [Nd] QEFYFXOXNSNQGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 12
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitric acid Chemical compound O[N+]([O-])=O GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 229910017604 nitric acid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 11
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 10
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 10
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 8
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- MWUXSHHQAYIFBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N nitrogen oxide Inorganic materials O=[N] MWUXSHHQAYIFBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 150000002505 iron Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000011007 phosphoric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 150000004677 hydrates Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000003891 oxalate salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000002367 phosphate rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- OJMIONKXNSYLSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N phosphorous acid Chemical class OP(O)O OJMIONKXNSYLSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical compound [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine Chemical compound FF PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910021578 Iron(III) chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910002651 NO3 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sodium Carbonate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C([O-])=O CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008139 complexing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 ferrous metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052909 inorganic silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004137 mechanical activation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001376 precipitating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 159000000000 sodium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 2
- UMGDCJDMYOKAJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N thiourea Chemical compound NC(N)=S UMGDCJDMYOKAJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZSLUVFAKFWKJRC-IGMARMGPSA-N 232Th Chemical compound [232Th] ZSLUVFAKFWKJRC-IGMARMGPSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XMIIGOLPHOKFCH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-phenylpropionic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1 XMIIGOLPHOKFCH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000851 Alloy steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021532 Calcite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitrate Chemical compound [O-][N+]([O-])=O NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052776 Thorium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Natural products NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052641 aegirine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052873 allanite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000012298 atmosphere Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010428 baryte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052601 baryte Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000182 britholite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium difluoride Chemical compound [F-].[F-].[Ca+2] WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229910001634 calcium fluoride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000001364 causal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- IKNAJTLCCWPIQD-UHFFFAOYSA-K cerium(3+);lanthanum(3+);neodymium(3+);oxygen(2-);phosphate Chemical compound [O-2].[La+3].[Ce+3].[Nd+3].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O IKNAJTLCCWPIQD-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001805 chlorine compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012065 filter cake Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002222 fluorine compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010436 fluorite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003673 groundwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910001385 heavy metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000398 iron phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BAUYGSIQEAFULO-UHFFFAOYSA-L iron(2+) sulfate (anhydrous) Chemical compound [Fe+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O BAUYGSIQEAFULO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- WBJZTOZJJYAKHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K iron(3+) phosphate Chemical compound [Fe+3].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O WBJZTOZJJYAKHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 229910000359 iron(II) sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000005706 microflora Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052590 monazite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910000069 nitrogen hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- JMANVNJQNLATNU-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxalonitrile Chemical compound N#CC#N JMANVNJQNLATNU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000029 sodium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000017550 sodium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- MNWBNISUBARLIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium cyanide Chemical compound [Na+].N#[C-] MNWBNISUBARLIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007790 solid phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002910 solid waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DHCDFWKWKRSZHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N sulfurothioic S-acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=S DHCDFWKWKRSZHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000004764 thiosulfuric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N uranium(0) Chemical compound [U] JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052727 yttrium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/04—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
- C22B3/06—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions, e.g. with acids generated in situ; in inorganic salt solutions other than ammonium salt solutions
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/04—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
- C22B3/16—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in organic solutions
- C22B3/1608—Leaching with acyclic or carbocyclic agents
- C22B3/1616—Leaching with acyclic or carbocyclic agents of a single type
- C22B3/165—Leaching with acyclic or carbocyclic agents of a single type with organic acids
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/22—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means, or by thermal decomposition
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/44—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B59/00—Obtaining rare earth metals
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
A process for stepwise leaching of all rare earth elements capable of forming peroxide
and superoxide compounds, in particular cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, europium, from
minerals containing these elements, namely from bastnaesites, orthites, chevkinites,
britholites, which have previously been comminuted to at least the particle size of 75
micrometers, comprising the following steps:
- an initial stage comprising the following steps: a first step of preparing the reaction
mixture consisting of a leaching agent, a solvent and mineral raw materials containing
rare earth elements; a second step of leaching REE by heating the obtained reaction
mixture to a working temperature of 80-100°C and maintaining it at the given temperature
with simultaneous stirring and a pH between 1 and 3; and a third step of subsequently
filtering the suspension thus obtained to form the liquid solution of REE compounds and
a solid residue;
- one or more intermediate stages;
- a final stage comprising the following steps: a first step of treating the solution
obtained as a result of the previous process steps with air until the divalent iron contained
in the solution is completely transformed into trivalent iron; a second step of treating the
solution obtained in the previous step with sodium hydroxide at room temperature until a
pH between 9 and 12 is reached; a third step of filtering the solution obtained in the
previous step and drying the sediment obtained thereby at 90-100°C for about 4 hours; a
fourth step of processing the sediment dried in the previous step with oxalic acid at room
temperature, thereby forming a solution; a fifth step of final filtration of the solution
obtained in the previous step, thereby forming a solid REE concentrate in pure form,
wherein iron trichloride is used as leaching agent and water is used as solvent, and
wherein the ratio solid:liquid in the reaction mixture is 1:5, the duration of holding the
reaction mixture at the working temperature is at least about 1 hour and all intermediate
stages of the process are repetitions of its initial stage, the total number of intermediate
stages typically being 2 to 3, the solid residue formed as a result of each respective
preceding process stage being used as a starting raw material in each respective
subsequent intermediate stage, wherein a reduction-oxidation process takes place
parallel to the hydrolysis of iron trichloride, which results in the formation of water-soluble
peroxide and/or ozonide compounds of the rare earth elements and iron(II) chloride, so
- that both the iron and the REE compounds remain in the solution and do not enter
in the sediment.
Description
- that both the iron and the REE compounds remain in the solution and do not enter in the sediment.
This application claims priority from German application No. 10 2019 003 556.9 filed on 21 May 2019, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.
[001] The present invention relates to the field of mining industry and specifically to the leaching of rare earth elements (REE).
[002] The direct leaching of rare earth elements takes place by means of hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid or mixtures thereof.
[003] In patent RU 2547369 C2 dated 18.02.2013 "Process for the complex treatment of residues from Domanik formations", leaching is carried out by a multi-stage treatment with sulphuric acid of varying concentration, inter alia with the maximum aggressive concentration of 15 to 25%, at temperatures from 65 °C to 160 °C and at pressures from atmospheric pressure to 13 bar.
[004] The disadvantage of this process is that the use of aggressive sulphuric acid concentrations requires the use of equipment made of highly alloyed molybdenum steel. Moreover, when sulphuric acid is used, the fluorides decompose at temperatures above °C to form gaseous and water-soluble compounds, which impair the environmental situation.
[005] The patent WO 2012/149642 Al (publication date 08.11.2012) or RU 2013153535 of 03.05.2012 "Process for extraction of rare earth elements from different ores" proposes to carry out leaching with hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid or mixtures thereof. It is also recommended to use the most aggressive concentrations of acids, temperatures from 85 to 175 °C and elevated pressures.
[006] The disadvantages of the proposed process are also the need to use expensive equipment made of highly alloyed steel and a significant negative impact on the environment.
[007] In the patent description of WO 2016/164600 Al "Leaching aid for metal extraction" (international publication of 13.10.2016), which mainly focusses on the extraction of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, titanium, nickel and copper, it is indicated that other non- ferrous metals and rare earth elements can also be leached using this process. According to the process, crushed raw materials are pretreated with various synthetic surfactants cationic, anionic, amphoteric and non-ionic - at a consumption of up to 10 kg per ton of raw material.
[008] After this treatment, a heap leaching or an agitation leaching is suggested. The duration of the process can be several years for the heap leaching process and 6 to 12 days for the agitation leaching process. The leaching is carried out at a ratio of solid : liquid = 1:1 to 1:3. For agitation leaching, a temperature of up to 200 °C and a pressure of 1 to 51.7 bar can be used. The following substances are used for leaching: - Acids: HNO3, HF, HCI, H2SO4, H3PO4, HCIO4; - Bases: Na2CO3, NaOH, NH3; - Complexing agents: NaCN, KCN, Ca(CN)2, thiosulfates, thiourea, thiosulfuric acid, dithiooxamides, substituted dithiooxamides; - Oxidizing agent - ozone.
[009] FeSO4, FeCl3, FeCl2 and other halogen-containing compounds are reacted as auxiliary materials.
[010] The disadvantages of this process are: - Use of synthetic surfactants. Surfactants primarily reduce the surface tension of water, with a decreasing dissolution of oxygen in the water. The majority of synthetic surfactants is poorly decomposed or not at all decomposed by the microbiological flora of the purification plants and this result in swamp formation in the bodies of water into which they are introduced. In addition, many surfactants can form stable compounds with heavy metals (the elimination thereof requires temperatures up to 100 °C, lasts up to 8 hours and is carried out using expensive materials suitable for the decomposition of these compounds), which also strongly suppress aerobic microflora, leading to swamp formation. - A very long process duration - with agitation leaching from 6 to 12 days and with heap leaching up to several years. - The recommended temperature of up to 200 °C and pressures of up to 51.7 bar require the use of expensive equipment - autoclaves, which must be made of highly alloyed steels with additional Teflon protection due to the use of highly corrosive acids and bases.
- The complexing agents proposed for metal leaching are highly toxic and require very complex systems for the disposal of the residual amount in waste water and specific solid waste storage. - Use of ozone. The solubility of ozone in water at a pressure of 1 bar is about 10 mg per 1 litre. In order to achieve a technological effect, higher concentrations are required, which are achieved under high pressure. In this case, there is a risk of formation of explosive ozonides, which can destroy not only the equipment but the entire production. - Iron sulphates and chlorides are used as auxiliary substances in connection with acids in order to shift the equilibrium in acid leaching of the required metals, namely by forming insoluble compounds with the acid residues of the mineral raw materials.
[011] The closest and already known pre-publication to the proposed technical solution is described in the patent EP 0265547 Al of 30.10.86 "Verfahren zur Gewinnung von Seltenen Erden und gegebenenfalls Uran und Thorium aus Schwermineralphosphaten" (prototype of the present invention). In this process, the starting raw material, namely phosphorites, more precisely monazites, is comminuted to a size of 37 microns or 400 mesh in a planetary mill with simultaneous activation. Take 20 g of monazite, add 65 g of % nitric acid and a stoichiometric amount of iron salt to cause an exchange reaction with phosphates of rare earth elements. This mixture is placed in an autoclave made of high-alloy steel with Teflon protection. In the autoclave, the pressure is increased to 7-9 bar and the temperature to 170-190 °C. The process is carried out for 20-40 minutes. The mixture is then cooled and filtered.
[012] In this regard, the following is to be noted. When REE is leached with acids, the chemical equilibrium applies, whereby the degree of leaching of the REE depends on the type of acid and its concentration. As a rule, the degree of leaching rarely reaches 70% when highly concentrated acids are used. According to the principle of Le Chatelier, it is necessary to convert the reaction products into non-reactive substances (to be removed from the reaction zone by the extraction of water-insoluble substances or with a gas) or into other substances that would not react with the mineral residue in order to shift the equilibrium of the chemical process to the right.
[013] In order to increase the efficiency of nitric acid, a mechanical activation of the mineral up to a particle size ensuring better accessibility of the valuable components to nitric acid was carried out in the process according to the above patent. When nitric acid acts on the phosphorite of a rare earth element, rare earth nitrate and free phosphoric acid are formed. A water-soluble iron salt is used so that the phosphoric acid does not react with the REE nitrate and no equilibrium occurs. Iron reacts with the phosphoric acid to form insoluble iron phosphate. In this way the degree of leaching of REE increases, which are converted from insoluble phosphates into soluble nitrates. At high pressure peroxides and ozonides are not formed.
[014] The disadvantages of this process are: - the process is proposed only for phosphorites of the REE (REE may have different acid residues in the ore, see below); - aggressive nitric acid is used; - the process requires high temperature and high pressure; - expensive equipment made of corrosion-resistant materials is required; - the mechanical activation of the raw material requires the use of planetary mills, which have very complex kinematics which are sensitive to imbalance. At present, such mills are only developed for laboratory purposes and the production of respective industrial plants cannot be controlled. Further, since the comminution of the starting raw material is carried out to a particle size which is smaller than is usual in industry (in industry the particles are reduced to 63-75 microns and in the process of the prototype to up to 37 microns), the implementation of this process is basically only possible in the laboratory. - the process is not ecologically clean: in part the nitric acid will decompose into nitrogen oxides that pollute the atmosphere and in part the nitric acid will remain in the solid residue (filter cake) and thus contaminate the soil and the groundwater.
[015] In the implementation of the claimed invention, wastes were used as raw materials, which result from the extraction of rare earth elements from the mineral raw materials of the Sichuan deposit (China) according to a standard process and had a content of 12% REE.
[016] The raw materials, which are subjected to leaching in accordance with the present process, include the following components: 1. calcite 2. baryte - BaSO4 - one of the main components 3. fluorite - CaF2 - one of the main components 4. bastnaesite - Ce[C03]F 5. aegirine - Fe,Mg,Ca SiO2 6. orthite - (Ca,Ce,Y)(AIFe)3Si3O12(0,OH) and Ce,Ca,Mg,A2[SiO4][Si2O7]O(OH)
7. chevkinite - Fe2La2Ce2Ti3O8[Si2O7] 8. britholite - Ca2(Ce,Y)30H[SiO4]3
[017] The raw materials presented can be processed with conventional acid thermal processes, however thereby fluorine is released into the gaseous medium or - if nitric acid is used - the nitrogen oxides, i.e. substances which have a negative influence on the environment and on the conditions of industrial leaching.
[018] The aim of the present invention is to develop an environmentally friendly and cost effective process for the industrial leaching of rare earth elements, which makes it possible to dispense with the use of expensive equipment made of corrosion-resistant materials and is feasible on a broad basis of raw materials of minerals containing REE.
[019] The basis for the development of the new process was the fact that the REE to be leached were in a bi-trivalent state and it was necessary to choose the conditions for the chemical exchange with an available hydrolysable salt whose metal could be in a bi trivalent state. The most easily accessible salt for this process is iron trichloride, which is hydrolysable to hydrochloric acid and is an oxidizing agent that can be easily reduced from a trivalent to a divalent state. At the same time, iron trichloride can be used, which is produced in the course of chlorine reuse in the production of NaOH from NaCI, which makes the cost of iron trichloride with 100% concentration about 2 times lower than the cost of hydrochloric acid with 40% concentration. When working with iron trichloride, it is also sufficient to use equipment based on widely used chromium steels having a chromium content of 13 to 17%.
[020] The above factors of cost reduction make the claimed process much more cost effective than all the processes described above. In the present process, there is no activation comminution step of the raw materials, since the raw materials used were already subjected to a comminution to a particle size of 75 microns when they were processed in the conventional way before leaching according to the process.
[021] The process claimed here comprises the following steps: 1. Preparing the reaction mixture consisting of the leaching agent (preferably of a hydrolysable iron salt, particularly preferably of iron trichloride), the solvent (preferably water) and the starting raw materials by mixing them at the ratio of solid : liquid = 1:5 and a pH between 1 and 3. 2. Increasing the temperature of this mixture to 80-100 °C while stirring.
3. Keeping the mixture at this temperature for a specified time (at least about 1 hour) while stirring. 4. Filtration of the resulting suspension, i.e. separation of the liquid phase from the solid phase, for example on a BOchner funnel or on any other filter. The REE leached out in this process step will pass into the liquid phase. 5. Multiple washing of the solid residue carried out as a repetition of process steps 1. to 4., wherein in this case as starting raw materials the solid residue is used which is obtained either at the end of the fourth process step or at the end of the preceding washing cycle after the fifth process step. The number of repetitions of the washing stage is determined by the required degree of leaching of REE. 6. The final stage of the process, aimed at extracting REE from the solution and recovering from the solid concentrate in pure form, is carried out once and consists of the following steps: a. Processing the obtained solution with air until the divalent iron contained in the solution is completely converted into trivalent iron. b. Treating the solution obtained with sodium hydroxide at room temperature until a pH between 9 and 12 is reached. Thereby sodium salts of peroxide and ozonide compounds of rare earth elements and iron(Ill) salts are precipitated from the solution, the latter precipitating in the form of iron(Ill) oxide hydrates. c. The solution is then filtered and the sediment is first dried for about 4 hours at 90 100 °C, whereby the peroxide and ozonide compounds of the REE decompose and transform into REE oxide hydrates, while iron (111) is still present in the dried sediment. d. The dried sediment is then treated at room temperature with an amount of oxalic acid, which is equimolar to the trivalent iron contained therein, whereby only the trivalent iron dissolves to form oxalates and the REE oxide hydrates remain in the solid sediment. e. The final filtration of the solution is performed to separate solid REE concentrate in pure form from a iron(Ill) oxalate solution. At the end of this process step, we obtain the rare earth elements in pure form ready for further use.
[022] The final stage of the process has been specially developed as an alternative technological operation to the standard method of precipitation of REE from the solution and its purification from the admixtures, because the process according to the invention does not allow the final recovery of solid REE concentrate from the solution in pure form in a standard way. At the same time, an important technical and economic advantage of the final stage of the process described herein is that the purification of REE from the iron(Ill) admixtures does not require a 20-fold but only an equimolar amount of oxalic acid in relation to the iron.
[023] The present process in the general embodiment described above represents the proposed solution to the technical problem posed and is within patent claim 1 (independent claim). Patent claim 2 (dependent claim) focusses on a specific embodiment of the present process in which the minerals to be leached out are components of a stockpile material consisting of residues of a previous leaching. The advantage of the present process, associated with the substantial saving of oxalic acid in the final stage, is present in patent claim 4 (dependent claim).
[024] The final leaching degree of REE according to the claimed process can be up to 100%, which is not characteristic for acid-thermal leaching processes, which result in a lower leaching degree of REE.
[025] Furthermore, the invention preferably concerns a process for stepwise leaching of rare earth elements from minerals containing these elements, namely from bastnaesites, orthites, chevkinites, britholites, which have previously been comminuted to at least the particle size of 75 micrometres, comprising the following steps: - an initial stage comprising the following steps: a first step of preparing the reaction mixture consisting of a leaching agent, a solvent and mineral raw materials containing rare earth elements; a second step of leaching REE by heating the obtained reaction mixture to the working temperature of 80-100 °C and maintaining it at the given temperature with simultaneous stirring and a pH between 1 and 3; and a third step of subsequently filtering the resulting suspension to form the liquid solution of REE compounds and a solid residue; - one or more intermediate stages; - a final stage comprising the following steps: a first step of treating the solution obtained as a result of the previous process steps with air until the divalent iron contained in the solution is completely transformed into trivalent iron; a second step of treating the solution obtained in the previous step with sodium hydroxide at room temperature until a pH between 9 and 12 is reached; a third step of filtering the solution obtained in the previous step and drying the sediment obtained thereby at 90-100 °C for about 4 hours; a fourth step of processing the sediment dried in the previous step with oxalic acid at room temperature, thereby forming a solution; a fifth step of final filtration of the solution obtained in the previous step, thereby forming a solid REE concentrate in pure form, wherein iron trichloride is used as leaching agent and water is used as solvent, and wherein the ratio solid:liquid in the reaction mixture is 1:5, the duration of holding the reaction mixture at the working temperature is at least about 1 hour and all intermediate stages of the process are repetitions of the initial stage thereof, the total number of intermediate stages typically being 2 to 3, the solid residue formed as a result of each preceding process stage being used as a starting raw material in each subsequent intermediate stage, wherein a reduction-oxidation process takes place parallel to the hydrolysis of iron trichloride, which results in the formation of water-soluble peroxide and/or ozonide compounds of the rare earth elements and iron(II) chloride, so that both the iron and the REE compounds remain in the solution and do not enter the sediment.
[026] The preferred embodiments described above and in the pending claims apply analogously to this process.
Example 1:
[027] The leaching process for rare earth elements was carried out as follows. Take 1 kg of crushed raw materials and put them in a container, pour 5 dM3 of tap water (solid:liquid = 1:5) over them and add 200, 150, 100, 50 or 30 g FeC3. The mixture was thoroughly mixed, then heated to 80-100 °C with simultaneous stirring and kept at this temperature for 1 hour, also with simultaneous stirring. The suspension was then filtered, dried and the solid residue weighed. The results of the mass loss experiments are shown in Table 1.
[028] Table 1. Iron trichloride consumption, (in % to the initial mass of the raw materials)
20 15 10 5 3
Mass loss of raw materials, 5 7 11 15 7
(in % to their initial mass)
[029] As can be seen from the table, the maximum mass loss is observed when the consumption of iron trichloride is 5% in relation to the initial mass of the raw materials studied. This can be explained by the fact that the degree of hydrolysis of iron trichloride increases with decreasing concentration and that the hydrochloric acid released during hydrolysis interacts intensively with the components of the mineral raw materials. It should be noted that under these conditions practically all of Fe+3 is converted to Fe+2 and the rare earth elements are converted to the water-soluble chloride, peroxide and ozonide compounds. This is shown by the fact that upon further processing of the resulting solution with oxalic acid, oxalates of the divalent iron precipitate, while the oxalate of the trivalent iron is a water-soluble compound. All ozonide compounds of rare earth elements are sublimable when heated, this effect was observed when the water soluble products were carefully evaporated and dried.
[030] Already in the 19th century it was proven that all rare earth elements can form peroxide and superoxide compounds during their chemical transformations. Obviously, this could also affect the optimal leaching conditions. A further reduction in iron trichloride consumption could reduce these opportunities for leaching REE.
[031] The process carried out with a 5% consumption of iron trichloride in relation to the initial mass of the raw materials investigated represents a preferred embodiment of the present process, which is present in patent claim 3 (dependent claim).
Example 2:
[032] Process as in example 1, except that only 50 g iron trichloride was added. Thereafter, the reaction mixture was thoroughly mixed, then heated to 80-100 °C with simultaneous stirring and kept at this temperature for 1 hour, also with simultaneous stirring, then filtered, dried, weighed and analysed. The same sequence of process steps was then repeated twice with the solid residue obtained after the previous repetition of this sequence. In total, all the above-mentioned process steps were carried out three times, with a corresponding decrease in the mass of the starting raw materials or the solid residue, respectively, after each repetition. The results of the analyses are shown in Table 2.
[033] Table 2. results of the analyses number of the respective mass of solid residue after degree of leaching of REE processing of the initial raw materialsorsolidresidue the respective processing, after the respective g processing,%. 1 850 50 2 750 78 3 700 90
[034] With respect to the given data, the leaching of REE with iron trichloride is analogous to the extraction processes. Under the experimental conditions, the absolute value of fluorine in the original sample and after the treatments remained unchanged.
[035] The solution obtained is then processed by treatment with air to convert the divalent iron into the trivalent state. Next, the solution is treated with NaOH up to a pH of 9 to 12, thereby precipitating rare earth elements and iron. The solution is filtered and the sediment is first dried for about 4 hours at 90-100 °C and then treated with an equimolar amount of oxalic acid in relation to the iron. The solution is filtered and a concentrate of rare earth elements is obtained in the sediment.
[036] The following chemical processes take place in the application of the present process: FeCl3 + H20 = FeCl2OH + H+, the pH is 2.3 at room temperature, at T = 80-100 °C - 1.0. Fe+3 = Fe+ 2 _ e H+ + e = H 2H + 02 = H202
Me=(O-X)3 + 3H202 + 3H+ = Me=(O-O-H)3 + 3H20 + 3X
[037] Thus, water-soluble ozonide compounds of rare earth elements are formed. During the treatment of the resulting solution with the oxygen contained in the air, oxidation from divalent iron to trivalent iron takes place: Fe+2 - e = Fe+3
[038] The oxalates of divalent iron are insoluble in water and those of trivalent iron are soluble in water.
[039] When processed with sodium hydroxide, sodium salts of the ozonide compounds of rare earth elements and iron(Ill) hydroxide precipitate. During heating (drying) the ozonide compounds are decomposed and during treatment with oxalic acid only the iron(Ill) oxalate enters in the solution. According to standard methods, a 20-fold excess of oxalic acid is required for the extraction of rare earth elements and according to the proposed method an equimolar amount thereof relative to iron is sufficient.
[040] Compared to known methods, the claimed invention has the following significant differences: - The leaching of rare earth elements does not require the use of aggressive acids; - The leaching of rare earth elements requires the use of iron(Ill) salts.
[041] The following causal relationship exists between the distinguishing features of the leaching of rare earth elements with the iron trichloride and the technical problem to be solved. - The optimum concentration of iron trichloride in relation to the initial mass of the mineral raw materials is 5%. - When rare earth elements are leached out with iron trichloride, the chemical equilibrium sets in. - In order to obtain a high degree of leaching, a repeated treatment should be carried out. - During leaching, chloride, peroxide and ozonide compounds of rare earth elements are formed. - During leaching with iron trichloride, the trivalent iron is converted into a divalent compound. - To obtain the REE concentrate, the solution is first treated with air, then with sodium hydroxide, the sediment is then separated, dried and treated with an equimolar amount of oxalic acid.
[042] During the investigation of the given and related technical fields, no other technical solution was found to have the features that distinguish the present process from the prototype. Accordingly, the criteria of novelty and inventive step are fulfilled in this invention.
Claims (4)
1. A process for stepwise leaching of all rare earth elements capable of forming peroxide and superoxide compounds, in particular cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, europium, from minerals containing these elements, namely from bastnaesites, orthites, chevkinites, britholites, which have previously been comminuted to at least the particle size of 75 micrometers, comprising the following steps: - an initial stage comprising the following steps: a first step of preparing the reaction mixture consisting of a leaching agent, a solvent and mineral raw materials containing rare earth elements; a second step of leaching REE by heating the obtained reaction mixture to a working temperature of 80-100°C and maintaining it at the given temperature with simultaneous stirring and a pH between 1 and 3; and a third step of subsequently filtering the suspension thus obtained to form the liquid solution of REE compounds and a solid residue; - one or more intermediate stages; - a final stage comprising the following steps: a first step of treating the solution obtained as a result of the previous process steps with air until the divalent iron contained in the solution is completely transformed into trivalent iron; a second step of treating the solution obtained in the previous step with sodium hydroxide at room temperature until a pH between 9 and 12 is reached; a third step of filtering the solution obtained in the previous step and drying the sediment obtained thereby at 90-100°C for about 4 hours; a fourth step of processing the sediment dried in the previous step with oxalic acid at room temperature, thereby forming a solution; a fifth step of final filtration of the solution obtained in the previous step, thereby forming a solid REE concentrate in pure form, wherein iron trichloride is used as leaching agent and water is used as solvent, and wherein the ratio solid:liquid in the reaction mixture is 1:5, the duration of holding the reaction mixture at the working temperature is at least about 1 hour and all intermediate stages of the process are repetitions of its initial stage, the total number of intermediate stages typically being 2 to 3, the solid residue formed as a result of each respective preceding process stage being used as a starting raw material in each respective subsequent intermediate stage, wherein a reduction-oxidation process takes place parallel to the hydrolysis of iron trichloride, which results in the formation of water-soluble peroxide and/or ozonide compounds of the rare earth elements and iron(II) chloride, so that both the iron and the REE compounds remain in the solution and do not enter in the sediment.
2. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the minerals used are constituents of a stockpile material from residues of a previous leaching.
3. The process according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the consumption of leaching agent during carrying out the initial stage and each intermediate stage is constant and is from 3 to 20%, preferably 5%, relative to the initial mass of the mineral raw materials.
4. The process according to claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the amount of oxalic acid used in the fourth step of the final stage is equimolar relative to the trivalent iron contained in the dried sediment treated with the oxalic acid.
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