Various processes for the recovery of lanthanum from metallurgical and non-metallurgical resources are
reviewed. Lanthanum is present as a major constituent of monazite, fluorocarbonate ores, bauxite and associated
residues, tailings and waste liquors of rare earths, aluminium, etc. Phosphate rock, optical glasses and Ni-MH batteries serve as the most recent and high concentration secondary resources of lanthanum. This review discusses
the various methods of hydro-/pyro-metallurgical origin, leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation and other
pre-treatment options for lanthanum recovery. A separate section on recovery of lanthanum by selective
biosorption from various model and actual solutions is also included. The need to develop new extraction systems
with high lanthanum selectivity in the areas of leaching and solvent extraction are probable improvement
trend for the future