Methods for extracting critical minerals from sedimentary rock

A method, comprising:

• providing a shale particulate composition comprising a total organic carbon content of at least 0.5 wt % and at least one critical mineral;
• mixing the shale particulate composition with water, thereby forming a slurry;
• filtering the slurry, thereby forming a shale particulate retentate and a first filtrate;
• mixing the shale particulate retentate and a magnesium chloride solution, thereby forming a magnesium chloride slurry comprising a first solid and a first leachate;
• mixing the first solid with a first acid, thereby forming an organic acid slurry comprising a second solid and a second leachate;
• mixing the second solid with a reducing agent solution, thereby forming a reduced slurry comprising a third solid and a third leachate;
• and
• mixing the third solid with a mineral acid, thereby forming a mineral acid slurry comprising a stripped solid and a final leachate;
• wherein the final leachate comprises at least one extracted critical mineral.