Use of synergistic mixture of extractants for extracting rare earth elements from an aqueous medium comprising phosphoric acid

Abstract

The use of a synergistic mixture of extractants for extracting at least one rare earth element from an aqueous medium comprising phosphoric acid. The mixture comprises: —a first extractant of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2, which are identical or different, represent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, comprising from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group optionally substituted by a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and —a second extractant of formula (II): in which R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group, comprising from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Use of the synergistic mixture in the treatment of phosphate minerals with a view to recovering the rare earth elements contained in the minerals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.