This paper summarizes the findings of the research aimed at the development of a new method for the integrated processing of naturally occurring and anthropogenic rare-earth raw materials based on the decomposition of rare-earth element (REE) concentrates in the presence of sulfocationite. Sorption and desorption of REE cations on a strongly acidic ion exchanger, sorbent regeneration, and REE recovery from eluates are discussed. A virtually zero-waste integrated process for apatite concentrate is proposed. The generalization of the research findings is aimed at demonstrating the prospects and universality of the proposed resource-saving and environmentally safe approach to the processing of various types of naturally occurring and anthropogenic rare-earth mineral feeds. The new methodology made it possible to develop a number of new hydrochemical processes united by a single approach, providing a qualitative increase in the processing performance of various types of rare-earth mineral feeds. The theoretical foundations of a unified approach to the processing of a wide range of minerals can significantly accelerate and cheapen the implementation of specific process circuits, significantly reduce reagent consumption and waste generation, simplify the separation of rare earth elements and impurities, and the separation of rare earth elements from naturally occurring radionuclides, fluorine, and phosphorus. The study was funded by the Kolarctic CBC 2014-2020 program, Project KO1030 SEESIMA — Supporting Environmental Economic and Social Impacts of Mining Activity.
Development of methods for the recovery оf rare-earth elements from the mineral resources of the Arctic
