Title: Recovery Of Rare Earth Elements (La, Ce, Nd) From Copper-Slag Flotation Tailings: Process Routes And Separation Strategies
Authors: Mutalibkhonov S.S., Kholikulov D.B., Boltayev O.N., Khojiev Sh.T.
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 38-41
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
Copper-slag flotation tailings (SFT) are typically generated when copper smelter slags are reprocessed by flotation to recover residual copper minerals. While SFT is primarily studied as a secondary source of base metals (Cu-Co-Zn), it may also contain trace levels of rare earth elements (REEs), with light REEs (La, Ce, Nd) being of particular interest due to their criticality in magnets and energy technologies. This review synthesizes 15 Scopus-indexed journal articles to evaluate technology options for extracting and separating La-Ce-Nd from SFT and analogous copper-smelter slag residues. We structure the discussion around feed characterization and mineralogical controls, extraction via pressure/oxidative leaching and hybrid bioleaching, mitigation of silica-gel and iron co-dissolution issues, and downstream separation via solvent extraction (SX), ion exchange (IX), and selective precipitation. Evidence indicates that the most technically mature SFT flowsheets are pressure oxidative sulfate leaching systems optimized for high base-metal dissolution while limiting iron dissolution, followed by staged purification and selective REE recovery. However, REE-grade and deportment data in SFT remain sparse, making pre-concentration, phase engineering, and coupling of base-metal recovery with REE scavenging essential for techno-economic viability.