Rare earth metals and their compounds have unique physical and chemical properties that have made them essential in many high-technology applications. They are used in rare earth magnets that are used in electric motor, generators, and medical imaging technologies such as MRI’s. They are also used in other applications, such as electronic devices and fiber optic.

Solvent extraction is an important process for individual rare earth compound extraction. For higher purity of individual rare earths, ion exchange process is used. In the solvent extraction process, organic extractants are used to selectively load the rare earth.