Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Solid Residue of El-Sela Ore, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The study area of Gabal El Sela at Halaib environ is located at about 20 km west of Abu Ramad City, Egypt. An uraniferous ore material associated with REE was subjected to sulphuric acid leaching for extraction of uranium mainly followed by solid liquid separation through filtration then washing. Physical upgrading was performed upon the dry residue. Chemical treatment by 50% NaOH was carried out where about 250 g residue ground at -200 mesh were agitated at solid / liquid ratio of 1/2 for one hour. The cake was filtered then dried at 100 degrees C. The dried cake was subjected to dissolution by conc. HCl at 80 degrees C at a solid /liquid ratio 1:1 for one hour. More than 98% of REE was leached out, and then the leach liquor was subjected to selective precipitation by HF and oxalic acid then calcinations of REE oxalate.