Introduction to Rare Earth Elements
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals that are crucial for the production of many high-tech products, including electronics, renewable energy technologies, and advanced ceramics. The global demand for REEs is increasing rapidly, driven by the growing need for these technologies. However, the current market dynamic is unsustainable, with China dominating the global supply chain and posing significant environmental concerns.
The Unsustainable Market Dynamic
China is responsible for nearly 90 percent of all REE processing and 60 percent of global supply. The country’s solvent extraction process, which is used to refine REEs, is highly effective but has significant environmental drawbacks. The process requires large amounts of energy and water, and it generates substantial amounts of toxic waste. For example, producing a single ton of REEs yields roughly 2,000 tons of toxic waste, and the largest REE production facility in the world, located in Inner Mongolia, has produced over 70,000 tons of radioactive thorium.
Environmental Concerns
The environmental concerns associated with REE production are significant. The process requires large amounts of energy and water, and it generates substantial amounts of toxic waste. The toxic waste produced by REE production can contaminate soil, water, and air, and it poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife. Furthermore, the energy required to produce REEs contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate climate change.
Finding a Way Forward
In recent years, western companies have made significant strides in developing cleaner, more efficient solvent extraction techniques. Emerging production and processing strategies are considerably more sustainable, eschewing harmful chemicals and producing considerably less waste. Some examples of these technologies and techniques include:
Circular Processing
Circular processing involves recycling and reusing all materials produced during the REE extraction process. This approach eliminates waste and minimizes the environmental impact of REE production. For example, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) and the Saskatchewan government are developing a rare earths processing facility that combines proprietary extraction cells, metal smelting, and hydrometallurgy into a fully integrated process supported by artificial intelligence. This facility will emit neither water nor waste, and everything it produces will be recycled and reused.
Sustainable Vertical Integration
Sustainable vertical integration involves controlling the full supply chain, from extraction to processing, to minimize waste and environmental impact. Aclara Resources, for example, is pursuing this strategy by developing rare earths processing capabilities in the United States. The company plans to source high-purity mixed rare earth carbonates from its sustainable extraction facilities in Chile and Brazil and process these materials via a conceptual solvent extraction process within a separation facility engineered by Hatch.
Biomining
Biomining is a process that uses microorganisms to extract REEs from ores or electronic waste. This process produces virtually no waste, has minimal energy requirements, and does not require high temperatures. BiotaTec, the company responsible for developing biomining, notes that this process could be used to treat waste products and pollutants from other industrial processes.
Column-Based Extraction
Column-based extraction is a new spin on existing solvent extraction. Developed by Ucore Rare Metals, this technology processes REEs up to three times faster than conventional plants and allows for far more efficient and effective waste management with minimal risk of generating toxic pollution.
Conclusion
The current market dynamic for rare earth elements is unsustainable, with China dominating the global supply chain and posing significant environmental concerns. However, emerging production and processing strategies offer a more sustainable future for REE production. By adopting circular processing, sustainable vertical integration, biomining, and column-based extraction, companies can minimize waste and environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for REEs. As the demand for REEs continues to increase, it is essential to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility in the production and processing of these critical metals.
