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How Are Rare Earth Metals Mined?
Rare earth metals are mined from ores that contain several elements together. The most important sources are bastnaesite and monazite ores, along with ion-adsorption clays. Each element must then be separated from the others, which is the most technically demanding part of the process.
Main ore types
Bastnaesite is a carbonate-fluoride mineral mined in large open pits, such as the Mountain Pass mine in California and deposits in Inner Mongolia. Monazite is a phosphate that often contains thorium and uranium. Ion-adsorption clays, found mainly in southern China, Myanmar and Laos, are mined with more limited methods and are an important source of heavy rare earths.
From ore to concentrate
Ore is crushed and milled, then concentrated using flotation and other physical methods. The result is a mixed rare earth concentrate that still contains all the elements together.
Separation and refining
- Leaching dissolves the rare earths from the concentrate.
- Solvent extraction separates the elements through many repeated stages.
- Each element is then refined to the purity required by magnet or catalyst makers.
Environmental considerations
Separation is energy-intensive and can generate wastewater, acidic residues and radioactive by-products where thorium or uranium are present. Buyers and regulators increasingly ask how these residues are managed, so credible projects plan for them from the start.
Key Points
- Most rare earths come from a few ore types.
- Separating the elements is the hardest and most expensive step.
- Waste management is a central part of any project.
Next Steps
Speak to our team about your question.
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.
