Determination of the Complex Environmental and Socio-economic Effect in the Extraction of Rare Earth Metals from Red Mud

The present research concerns a serious problem of red muds utilization. They are formed They are formed during the processing of aluminum. Its world industrial consumption is characterized by extremely high growth rates. Slurry pits are the source of ecological problems connected with soil, underground water and air pollution, which leads to corresponding negative social effect. The research objective is to study problems connected with creating, operating and recultivation of red muds slurry pits, to analyse existing technologies of secondary red muds usage as of raw material, as well as technologies of such precious elements extraction from red muds as scandium, yttrium, zirconium. Positive economic effect of using aluminum-scandium alloys is calculated at the example of small vessels hulls construction. Development of innovational technologies which use elements contained in red muds will increase their consumption. It will provide complex solution of ecological and social problems of regions situated around alumina production.