Phosphogypsum Tailings
Phosphogypsum Tailings
Phosphogypsum is a by-product of phosphoric acid production from phosphate rock. Rare earths originally present in the phosphate ore are concentrated in the phosphogypsum waste stream. Recovering REEs from phosphogypsum represents a circular economy opportunity that simultaneously addresses a significant waste disposal problem.
Processing
DifficultyMedium
Processing & Metallurgy
Acid leaching of the phosphogypsum dissolves the REEs, which are then recovered by solvent extraction or ion exchange. The process must also manage radiological elements (uranium, radium) co-extracted from the tailings.
Related Projects
1 FoundTypical Composition
The set of elements typically dominant in Phosphogypsum Tailings deposits.