In this paper, the development and research connotations of extraction of rare earths from the leach liquor of the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore with non-precipitation, including solvent extraction, ion exchange and liquid membranes were introduced respectively. The principle of extraction and separation of rare earth is described. The advantage, potential and some problems that existed in non-precipitation extraction process were discussed briefly. The developing trend of non-precipitation technology in industrial practice has been expected. The green chemistry development orientation is suggested. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.