How the rare earths became the lanthanides again

Rare Earths are vital for our modern life. Depending upon the definition they are comprised of 15 elements normally all found together in various mineral sources. They play a key role in many applications including magnets, batteries and catalysts. However, they are strictly known as the lanthanide series, and they are quite common in the earth's crust. The term Rare Earth originated from the initial inability to chemically identify them, Later, their concentration, extraction, separation and reduction proved formidable as each of the lanthanides has remarkably similar chemical properties. At the Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy, we have carried out research and development in all aspects of Rare Earth mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and recycling. The included bibliography provides an example background of Rare Earths information and some of the recent Kroll Institute efforts. In this presentation, the history, properties, concentration, extraction, separation and reduction concepts will be elucidated. By these developments, we will learn that the Rare Earths are now commonly found and produced members of the lanthanide series.