Radionuclide Removal in Rare Earth Mineral Processing: A Review of Existing Methods and Emerging Biochemical Approaches Using Siderophores
Journal: Minerals
Year: 2025

The extraction of rare earth elements is becoming increasingly essential due to their many applications in current and emerging advanced material technologies. However, in many rare earth deposits, rare earth minerals are associated with radionuclides; specifically, thorium and uranium. The radioactive nature of these elements is a major concern during processing. Techniques such as solvent extraction and precipitation have been employed in this regard to minimize the radioactivity levels and ad