De-sliming followed by froth flotation for the recovery of phosphorus and enrichment of rare earth elements from Florida waste clay

•Florida waste clay (WC) contained around 8% P2O5 and 307 ppm of critical REEs.•A novel experimental route was developed to recover P and REEs from Florida WC.•The separation route consisted of enhanced desliming followed by reverse flotation.•Single-stage reverse flotation with a cationic removal of silicates was identified.•Medium-grade phosphate ore with 21 wt% P2O5 and 80% recovery of REEs were produced.