Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Rare earth elements (REE) are present at concentrations of approximately 0.36 % in phosphogypsum stacks located in Phalaborwa, South Africa. It was found that a significant fraction of the REE can be leached from the phosphogypsum in a range of conditions much less severe than traditional hard rock rare earth processing conditions.

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• 1 The REE are present in the phosphogypsum in solid solution in the gypsum and as fluorine and aluminium rich precipitates.
• 2 Recovery of the REE offers opportunities for valorization and reducing the environmental impact of the phosphogypsum waste.
• 3 This paper presents the results of investigations into the leaching behaviour of rare earth elements and other impurities from phosphogypsum using aqueous sulfuric acid.

These innovations can translate to real-world improvements in technology, infrastructure, and everyday tools.

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