A solvent extraction method with benzoylphenyl hydroxyamine (BPHA)-methyl isobutyl keton (MIBK) is proposed for the separation of rare earth elements from the matrix elements Fe, Ti, V, Mo etc. in steel. The matrix elements are extracted into organic phase, and the rare earth elements as La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Y and Gd in aqueous solution by are determined inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The results are compared to the standard results. The standard recovery is 98%-103%. The relative stand...