Editing Dysprosium (section)

==Production==
Dysprosium is obtained primarily from [[monazite]] sand, a mixture of various [[phosphate]]s. The metal is obtained as a by-product in the commercial extraction of yttrium. In isolating dysprosium, most of the unwanted metals can be removed magnetically or by a [[flotation process]]. Dysprosium can then be separated from other rare earth metals by an [[ion exchange]] displacement process. The resulting dysprosium ions can then react with either [[fluorine]] or [[chlorine]] to form dysprosium fluoride, DyF<sub>3</sub>, or dysprosium chloride, DyCl<sub>3</sub>. These compounds can be reduced using either calcium or lithium metals in the following reactions:<ref name="heiserman">{{cite book|title = Exploring Chemical Elements and their Compounds|author = Heiserman, David L.|pages = [https://archive.org/details/exploringchemica01heis/page/236 236]–238|publisher = TAB Books|isbn = 978-0-8306-3018-9|year = 1992|url = https://archive.org/details/exploringchemica01heis|url-access = registration}}</ref>

:3 Ca + 2 DyF<sub>3</sub> → 2 Dy + 3 CaF<sub>2</sub>
:3 Li + DyCl<sub>3</sub> → Dy + 3 LiCl

The components are placed in a [[tantalum]] crucible and fired in a [[helium]] atmosphere. As the reaction progresses, the resulting halide compounds and molten dysprosium separate due to differences in density. When the mixture cools, the dysprosium can be cut away from the impurities.<ref name="heiserman" />

About 3100 tonnes of dysprosium were produced worldwide in 2021, with 40% of that total produced in China, 31% in Myanmar, and 20% in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raw Materials Profiles - Dysprosium|url=https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/rmp/Dysprosium|year=2021|access-date=2025-02-05}}</ref> Dysprosium prices have climbed over time, from $7 per pound in 2003, to $130 a pound in late 2010, <ref name="Bradsher, Keith">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/business/global/30smuggle.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&emc=eta1 |title=In China, Illegal Rare Earth Mines Face Crackdown |author=Bradsher, Keith |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 29, 2010}}</ref> to $1,400/kg in 2011 and then falling to $240/kg in 2015, largely due to illegal production in China which circumvented government restrictions.<ref>[http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/mcs-2016-raree.pdf Rare Earths] [https://web.archive.org/web/20160506184123/http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/mcs-2016-raree.pdf archive]. ''[[United States Geological Survey]]''. January 2016</ref>  As of April 2025, the price is around USD$203/kg.<ref name="smm-price">{{cite web |title=Dysprosium Oxide Price, USD/kg |url=https://www.metal.com/en/prices/201102250247 |website=Shanghai Metal Market |access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref>

Currently, most dysprosium is being obtained from the ion-adsorption clay ores of southern China.<ref name="China rare">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/business/global/26rare.html |title=Earth-Friendly Elements, Mined Destructively |newspaper=The New York Times |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |date=December 25, 2009}}</ref> {{As of|2018|November}} the Browns Range Project pilot plant, 160&nbsp;km south east of [[Halls Creek, Western Australia]], is producing {{convert|50|t|LT}} per annum.<ref name="abc-net-au2018-11-30-rare-earth">{{cite web
 | url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-11-30/rare-earth-mineral-find-to-boost-electric-vehicle-sector/10562460
 | title =Rare earth mineral discovery set to make Australia a major player in electric vehicle supply chain
 | last =Major
 | first =Tom
 | date =30 November 2018
 | website =ABC News
 | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation
 | access-date =30 November 2018
 }}</ref><ref name="Australia rare">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3377547.htm |title=Halls Creek turning into a hub for rare earths |last=Brann |first=Matt |date=November 27, 2011}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Department of Energy]], the wide range of its current and projected uses, together with the lack of any immediately suitable replacement, makes dysprosium the single most critical element for emerging clean energy technologies; even their most conservative projections predicted a shortfall of dysprosium before 2015.<ref>New Scientist, 18 June 2011, p. 40</ref> As of late 2015, there is a nascent rare earth (including dysprosium) extraction industry in Australia.<ref>Jasper, Clint (2015-09-22) [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-22/rare-earth-miners-face-tough-market/6786970 Staring down a multitude of challenges, these Australian rare earth miners are confident they can break into the market]. abc.net.au</ref>