Extraction of Rare-Earth Metals from Zircon Concentration Tailings

Abstract

This article presents the results for the extraction of rare-earth metals from zircon concentration tailings. The content of rare-earth metals is 3.53 wt.%. Physicochemical methods of analysis established the phase composition of the tailings - zircon is the main phase, rutile, hematite, and quartz are present. Rare-earth metals are presented in the form of ferrites, polyphosphates, and molybdates. Rare-earth metals were separated from zirconium, silicon, and titanium by chlorination. It was shown that hydrochloric-acid leaching of the chlorination residue allows the rare-earth metals to be almost completely converted into solution. The most effective cation exchanger for the sorption of rare-earth metals was established. A 15% hydrochloric acid solution was used as a desorbing solution. A 76% standard rare-earth metal concentrate was obtained as a result of ammonia deposition and calcination of the precipitate.