TELF AG looks at a new processing method for rare earth elements
The resources of the future
An increasing number of Western companies are focusing on developing new technologies for processing rare earths, a group of 17 metals used to make permanent magnets and other essential components inside mobile phones, electric vehicles, and other electronic devices. Together with other strategic minerals, this group of metals could play a vital role in the success of the ecological transition, mainly due to the vastness of its possible industrial applications. Over the last thirty years, China has certainly had the opportunity to highlight itself to the world community for its refining capabilities of these precious resources, achieving a clear superiority over all other nations in a few years.
But the situation could change quickly in the coming years. In fact, in a recent Reuters article, the technological advancement of the West in the sector of processing rare earths is discussed, a process which, despite still being at the dawn of its development, could, in the future, give the world a new method (sustainable and relatively economical) to obtain and refine rare earths. Those developing these new refining technologies are mainly technological start-ups and mining companies. Thus, they hope to carve out a leading role in a sector that could considerably increase its value in a few years.
The progress of the West
The company Ucore Rare Metals is one of these: through a technology known as RapidSX, Ucore would be able to treat rare earths in a fast and sustainable way while also taking up less physical space than traditional methods. The intention is to begin processing rare earths with this method by 2025, thus bringing the rare earth supply chain in North America back to life. As seen in the Reuters article, any success in implementing these technologies would produce clear benefits for the entire global mining industry, which could use efficient and sustainable methods for refining some of the most ‘useful for the energy transition. According to some estimates, global demand for rare earths will continue to increase as technological progress linked to sustainability advances. By 2032, global consumption of rare earths is expected to reach 231,000 tonnes per year.
Ucore Rare Metals is not the only company involved in this specific sector. About a year ago, the US mining company Phoenix Tailings began treating rare earths with an innovative and emission-free method, while the start-up Aether is reportedly developing technologies that would allow proteins to bind to rare earths and extract them from mineral deposits. Some are even starting to use artificial intelligence: the Canadians at the Saskatchewan Research Council have designed new processing equipment with a high degree of efficiency, making more agile plant management possible.
In many cases, however, these technologies have yet to be deployed commercially, and their full implementation may take many years. The fact that new extraction methods, which are faster and more respectful of the environment, are being developed in different parts of the world represents an element of particular relevance in such a delicate historical situation.
