Methods for extracting and recovering rare earths from aqueous solutions of organic acids

A method for extracting at least one rare earth from an aqueous solution A1, the method comprising:

• bringing the aqueous solution A1 into contact with a water-immiscible organic solution, comprising as an extractant, a diglycolamide of formula (I):
• dissolved in an organic diluent, in an organic phase;
• followed by
• separating the aqueous solution A1 from the organic phase
• wherein the organic acid comprises formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, mesoxalic acid, glutaric acid, diglycolic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, tricarballylic acid, and/or trimesic acid, and
• wherein the aqueous solution A1 further comprises a salting out agent, the salting out agent being a salt of an alkali metal, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, or an ammonium salt
• wherein the aqueous solution A1, prior to the bringing into contact, comprises an organic acid, a rare earth, and a transition metal.