METHOD FOR RECOVERING VALUABLE METAL

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED : To provide a method for recovering a valuable metal, particularly a rare earth metal, which reduces a carbon content in the metal without substantially oxidizing the valuable metal. SOLUTION : The method for recovering the valuable metal comprises separating a valuable resource consisting mainly of a negative electrode while containing 12 wt.% or less a positive electrode, from scrap containing the valuable metals, and heating the separated valuable resource mainly consisting of the negative electrode at 600°C or higher in a hydrogen gas atmosphere to remove carbon.