Lanthanides, because of their unique properties, have a wide range of applications in several areas of medicine; biology; imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and X-rays; and hitech industries such as in high-strength permanent magnets, superconductors, and electronic devices. Lanthanides are also known as Rare Earth Elements (REEs) -although formally REEs also include scandium and yttrium. Based on the atomic numbers, REEs can be divided into two categories: 'light' REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) and 'heavy' REEs (Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y). Monazite, xenotime, bastnasite, etc. are naturally occurring REE sources containing up to 70% rare earth oxides (REOs). Moreover, from previous studies it is evident that RE cations are present as physisorbed ions in alumino-sillicate minerals such as kaolinite, halloysite, and muscovite. The recovery of these REEs using different extraction techniques has attracted increased attention.