While America has long depended on China for rare earth elements, perhaps America’s newly found treasure will change that. As per a more recent study, about $8,4 billion worth of rare earth minerals are just lying around hidden and uncovered in the U.S. Being easily accesible, America could soon tap into a wealth of possibilities that could assist with revolutionizing the mineral supply chain.
Research that led to uncovering this treasure trove
While Americans have long tried to divert the attention away from rare earth elements due to the country’s dependence on China for these rare earths, rare earths are required in virtually all industries with a sustainability focus including the smartphone industry. Therefore the discovery by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin was so important.
These researchers looked at waste and a particular byproduct which they found was rather rich in rare earth elements. They used this particularly byproduct that had been generated during the years 1985 and 2021. Of that byproduct left behind about 70% or 1,9 billion tons could be recovered from landfills. Within the recoverable byproduct amount, 11 million metric tons of rare earths could be discovered.
This could perhaps be a rather interesting discovery for the country as thus far America has always depended on China for about 70% of its rare earth materials.
Understanding what this rare earth discovery could mean
This groundbreaking research was rather meaningful because instead of considering traditional mining efforts, researchers looked at byproducts of mining efforts and waste that had been left behind. Although seen as waste for so long, the potential within this waste seemed revolutionary.
Considering the Appalachian Basin and the Powder River Basin alone proves that high concentrations of rare earth minerals can be found. The Appalachian Basin contains higher traces of rare earth materials than the Powder River Basin, however, the extractability rate is something to consider since the Appalachian Basin has an extractability rate of 30% and the Powder River Basin has a higher extractability rate of 70%. More promising deposits are yet to be identified, but once identified, all effort can be put toward harnessing the largest yield.
This discovery of long hidden rare earth potential means security for a country that is working towards sustainability missions.
Converting an environmental burden into a lucrative solution
The discovery of rare earth elements was found by paying close attention to coal ash. Coal ash is the powdery residue that has been left behind after burning coal and fossil fuels. Although coal ash has been seen as being burdensome for the environment due to chemical toxicity, the waste has come to be seen as rather useful.
Repurposing of coal ash to recover rare earth elements from it could reduce all environmental hazards. Environmental sustainability and economic promise is on offer by looking at powdery coal ash for rare earth minerals. This is a significant discovery since thus far 40 billion tons and the future of Earth was all in China’s hands.
Rare earth elements extraction challenges
Element USA is already looking at the much needed technology and workforce to harness the potential that can be found within leftover coal ash. However, there are many economical and technical challenges. Processing costs also seem too complex.
Nevertheless, techniques such as acid-leaching and roasting are being considered so as to improve the yield. Certain pilot projects are under consideration and could perhaps mean the recovery of rare earth materials on a larger scale.
The mere mention of a potention $8,4 million in rare earth potential contained in America’s coal ash and this provides hope that even waste can be seen as a lucrative source towards a sustainable future. Once all technical and technological barriers are overcome, America could possibly become mineral indepedent. The path ahead is not all too clearcut, but the potential and promise that lies within the mine can shake global power and allow Americans to remain hopeful. Thus far, America has taken many noteworthy decisions to start the Rare Earth Era.
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