Patent ID: 10697043

Abstract:
In separating scandium and thorium from a leachate obtained by adding sulfuric acid to a nickel oxide ore containing scandium and thorium, scandium is recovered from only one system. The method according to the invention comprises: an extraction step S1 for treating a nickel oxide ore containing scandium and thorium with sulfuric acid to give an acidic solution (a feed solution for extraction), and then solvent-extracting the feed solution with the use of a scandium extractant containing an amide derivative to thereby divide the feed solution into an organic extract (a first organic phase) containing scandium and thorium and a liquid extract (a first aqueous phase) containing impurities; and a washing step S2 for adding sulfuric acid to the organic extract (the first organic phase) and thus dividing the same into washed organic matters (a second organic phase) containing thorium and a washed liquid (a second aqueous phase) containing scandium.