The choice of an appropriate method for rare earth element (REE) preconcentration from industrial by-products is a very difficult task. Most of the REE separation reviews focus on liquid extraction methods, whereas sorption processes are usually mentioned in connection with chromatographic individual REE separation. Limited information is currently available on ion exchange methods for REE preconcentration. The REE sorption methods are gradually acquiring great practical significance due to depleting REE sources. The present review deals with the history, recent studies and commercial applications of REE sorption from various complex industrial by-products such as products of apatite treatment, phosphogypsum and uranium ores. It covers an extensive study on the recent research related to use of polymeric ion-exchange sorption materials for REE preconcentration and recovery from various industrial wastes.

A comparative study of rare earth, ferric and aluminum ions ion exchange behavior on gel sulfonated рolystyrene cation exchange resins depending on the degree of the matrix cross-linking and pH of the solution is presented. Selective ion exchange of REEs is possible at the pH range of 1.5–2.0 using strongly acidic cation exchange resins containing more than 8 % of DVB. The preliminary results of testing the efficiency of REEs recovery from the industrial uranium underground leaching solutions are also presented.

The distribution of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Sc between aqueous solutions of their salts and solutions of 2-phosphorylphenoxy acid amides in dichloroethane...