Extracting Rare Earth Elements from Coal-Based Materials

Abstract Rising concern among industrialized nations has driven a resurgence of global interest in rare earth element mineral exploration and extraction as well as related research on supply, demand, utilization, recycling, reuse, and substitution. This article describes a program with the aim to develop an economically competitive and sustainable domestic U.S. supply of rare earth elements (REEs). The work to date has demonstrated the technical feasibility of extracting REEs from coal-based materials.