Mining & Processing

How Yttrium Is Mined and Processed

Yttrium (Y) is a rare earth element with global annual production of approximately 8,000 tonnes REO, primarily from China and Myanmar. Typical ore grades range from 0.05-0.5% Y2O3 in clays.

Mining Methods

Yttrium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Ion-adsorption clay leaching
• Byproduct of heavy REE separation
• Xenotime mining

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Yttrium include:

• Ion-adsorption clays
• Xenotime - YPO4
• Bastnasite - minor Y content

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Yttrium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Solvent extraction
2. Precipitation and calcination

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Yttrium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in China where 95% of global production is concentrated.