Secondary Resources of Rare Еarth Мetals

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the main existing methods for recycling rare earth metals from various types of waste. It was noted that the demand for rare-earth metals is increasing annually due to the growth of advanced technologies, mainly in the sectors of electronics, power engineering and photonics. It has been established that in countries producing final products of high processing, the chemical-technological processes of processing goods that have worked out their life cycle, and, first of all, fluorescent lamps, NdFeB magnets from electronic devices, and nickel-metal hydride (NiMeH) batteries containing rare earths are most quickly created. The most profitable and recycling option is the reuse of products containing rare-earth metals, however, such technologies are applicable for a narrow range of waste. Another important area of REM recycling is the processing of industrial waste. For countries with developed mining and chemical industries, mining processing technologies are attractive. It is shown that for Russia, more appropriate are schemes for the disposal of industrial waste, primarily waste from the production of apatite concentrate. The main problems of the development of REM recycling are identified: low content and dispersion of rare earths in waste; the presence of impurities that impede the extraction of valuable components and the toxicity of the used recycling schemes.