The Effect of Fulvic Acid on the Leaching of a Weathered Rare-Earth Ore

The effect of fulvic acid on the leaching of a weathered crust elution-deposited rare-earth ore, using ammonium sulfate as lixiviant, has been investigated. The results show that fulvic acid can enhance the leaching process effectively. With the addition of fulvic acid to the lixiviant at a concentration of 0.1 wt pct, the leaching extraction of rare-earth elements increased by 8.38 pct and the ammonium sulfate concentration decreased by 25 wt pct. Fulvic acid promotes the leaching process. It also reacts with rare-earth ions, forms soluble complexes, reduces the activity of the leached rare-earth ions, and increases the concentration difference of ion diffusion. These results highlight a new approach for making the leaching process of low-grade weathered crust elution-deposited rare-earth ore more efficient and also for lowering the lixiviant consumption.