A Review on Extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) From Coal Using Acid Leaching

Abstract

Coal has become a feasible source of rare earth elements (REEs; the 14 stable lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium). It is believed to contain significant amounts of rare earth elements, making it a primary source of REEs which serves as basic raw materials in the production of renewable energy. This review established the feasibility of recovering REEs from coal using acid leaching method. It discusses; the sourcing of REEs from coal, the applications of REEs and acid leaching as an effective hydrometallurgical method for extracting REEs from coal. It also examined the efficiency of methods used by other researchers in extracting REEs from coal. However, the potential of acid leaching as a solution to issues such as: difficult leaching conditions, low recovery and the use of expensive chemicals has not been fully investigated. For a better choice in the extraction of REEs from coal, more study and review are necessary.