The invention relates to a method for removing the
actinium contained in an initial
aqueous solution of
rare earth chlorides resulting from ore
processing, the method comprising the following steps: bringing the initial
aqueous solution into contact with a water-immiscible
organic solvent, the
organic solvent comprising at least one cationic extractant, separating, by liquid-liquid extraction, the
rare earth elements and the
actinium, all of the
rare earth elements except for all or some of the
lanthanum and / or
yttrium being extracted in the
organic solvent, bringing the organic
solvent, comprising all of the rare earth elements except for all or some of the
lanthanum, and / or
yttrium, into contact with an acid solution to produce an aqueous composition having a
mass concentration of
actinium,
lanthanum and / or
yttrium, relative to the other earth elements, that is lower than the
mass concentration of actinium, lanthanum and / or yttrium of the initial
aqueous solution, wherein the cationic extractant comprises at least one C8 to C20
carboxylic acid of formula (I): in which: R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group comprising
hydrogen, C1-C14 linear or branched
alkyl substituted with at least one
halogen atom or being unsubstituted, at least one saturated or unsaturated C5-C6 ring, and mixtures thereof, wherein the sum of the carbon atoms contained in R1, R2 and R3 is between 6 and 18.