A method of extracting rare earth elements from carbonate-containing minerals

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A method for extraction of rare earth elements from carbonate-containing minerals is disclosed which comprises crushing the mineral to particles, submerging the crushed mineral in water, injecting CO2into the water until the alkaline and alkaline earth carbonates are dissolved, separating the remaining solid particles from the liquid phase. discharge the liquid phase, and submerging the remaining solid particles in water and add a mineral acid until the particles are dissolved, separation and precipitation of the ionic rare earth elements as oxides by use of conventional hydrometallurgical methods. The liquid phase carbonate may be treated to release carbon dioxide which may be recycled to the dissolution step. The method may also be applied to recover titanium hafnium and zirconium.