Scandium is an important strategic element because of its excellent properties and has very important and wide use. Although the content in the crust is not low, its distribution is dispersed, and the separation and extraction is difficult. The current methods for extracting scandium metal in our country are solvent extraction method, chemical precipitation method and ion exchange method. Analyzes common scandium extraction methods and the typical processes of extracting and recycling scandium from titanium dioxide production liquid and from alumina red mud and from tungsten slag, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. In order to improve the extraction and recovery purity of scandium metal, proposes that the combinatorial optimization techniques of each treatment, efficient extractants and the improved production process and equipment should be considered and investigated.