| Abstract Scope |
One of the elements considered as key elements in the green economy is scandium. Scandium (Sc) is a rare earth element and as such, it is not very rare, but the concentration of it is always low making it a challenge to produce scandium at low cost. Compared to the other rare earth elements (REE), Sc3+ is a much smaller ion giving it properties closer to Al3+, Fe3+ and Zr4+. We therefore often do not find Sc together with the other REE, but instead in titanium-, aluminium- and uranium containing minerals. Processes involving Sc-separation are different from the usual REE-processes. Scandium is a critical metal as it is needed, but the market is not working properly. Exploitation of the mineral davidite is used as an example of small deposits to be utilized through green mining whereas other large operations like recovery from bauxite residues (red mud) are considered for comparison. |