US 12,442,059 B2
Advanced systems and methods for leaching rare earths from ore
Grant T. Colligan, Golden, CO (US); Corby G. Anderson, Golden, CO (US); and Brock O'Kelley, Golden, CO (US)
Assigned to Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (US)
Filed by COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES, Golden, CO (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/575,357.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/138,112, filed on Jan. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0228237 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. C22B 59/00 (2006.01); C22B 3/10 (2006.01)
CPC C22B 59/00 (2013.01) [C22B 3/10 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of leaching at least one rare earth element from an ore material of an ore, the method comprising:
(a) combining the ore material and an acid-containing liquid to form a solution, wherein the solution has a normality between about 1N and 5N, the solution has a solids concentration of greater than about 4 g/L and less than about 25 g/L, and the ore has not been roasted prior to forming the solution;
(b) heating the solution up to between about 60 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius; and
(c) allowing the at least one rare earth element in the ore material to dissolve and leach out of the ore to create a liquor comprising the at least one rare earth element.