Method for enriching rare earth elements from rare earth-containing materials

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for enriching rare earth elements at a higher enrichment ratio from a substance containing iron, copper, and rare earth elements.SOLUTION: A substance containing iron, copper, and rare earth elements is melted by heating in the coexistence of a melting point lowering agent and BOto form a BOphase, a phase which is situated below the BOphase and is richer in rare earth elements than the BOphase, a phase which is situated below the phase richer in rare earth elements and is richer in iron than any of the BOphase and the phase richer in the rare earth elements, and a phase which is situated below the phase richer in iron and is richer in copper than any of the BOphase, the phase richer in the rare earth elements, and the phase richer in iron.