A method of removing impurities using an electrochemical membrane apparatus comprising introducing a leaching solution into an electrochemical membrane reactor. The leaching solution of the electrochemical apparatus comprises copper, aluminum, iron, cobalt, manganese, and nickel. The electrochemical membrane reactor comprises at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, and the leaching solution is in contact with the at least one negative electrode. A current is applied through the electrochemical membrane reactor to adjust a pH of the leaching solution and copper is deposited on the at least one negative electrode. The aluminum and the iron are removed from the leaching solution, and the cobalt, the manganese, and the nickel are recovered from the leaching solution. An electrochemical membrane apparatus including an electrochemical membrane reactor is also disclosed.