Multi Sector
Green Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Waste
Rare Earth Elements are present in a range of sources, including secondary waste streams, yet remain difficult to isolate because of their tendency to form mixtures. Extraction is a highly complex process that can vary significantly between material types and even individual deposits. In traditional mining processes, initial physical separation consumes a high volume of raw materials and produces significant amount of waste in the form of tailings. Follow-up processing to extract the desired metals from mineral concentrates typically requires industrial-grade chemicals and solvents. The resulting hazardous liquid wastes, radionuclides, and heavy metal residues must be carefully managed according to environmental and occupational health standards, adding significant risk and increased costs.
By
Sandia National Laboratories
