Recovery of rare earth elements from estonian phosphorites by acidic decomposition

Total content and qualitative composition of lanthanides in the Estonian phosphorite concentrate are presented. The distribution of lanthanides between liquid and solid phases depending on the method of acidic decomposition of the phosphate rock has been estab- lished. The conditions of precipitation of rare earth elements by partial neutralisation of nitro-phosphate solution have been investigated. It is shown that the concentrating and the recovery of lanthanides can be achieved during the production of fertilizers from phosphate rock by treating it with HNO3.