A rapid microwave preparation method that is a combination of alkali fusion and acid digestion (4.5 h turn-around time) was developed for the determination of REEs (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Eb, Tm, Yb and Lu) and selected non-REEs ((Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, Th, Ti, U, V, Zn, Zr) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Uranium and Th, although investigated could not be determined by ICP-OES. The aim of this method was to provide cost effective REE and selected non-REE analysis within an acceptable turn-around time to industry. The microwave method of preparation was twin streamed with a manual method entailing alkali fusion and open vessel wet acid digestion on a hotplate. The data from both methods demonstrated comparable recoveries of REEs and non-REEs (between 95 % and 105 %) with an LOQ of 10 mg L^-1. The methods were validated using two certified reference materials, CGL 124 and CGL 111.