Chinese scientists have developed an innovative mining method that significantly improves the recovery speed and environmental impact of rare earth element (REE) production.
Key Features of the New Method: Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) Technique
- Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) Technique: Uses electric fields to extract REEs with minimal environmental damage.
- Efficiency Gains:
- 95% recovery rate of rare earth elements.
- 70% reduction in mining time.
- 60% savings in electricity use.
- Environmental Benefits:
- 95% reduction in ammonia emissions from leaching agents.
- Stable groundwater quality during tests, indicating no leakage.
Application and Testing:
- Successfully tested at a mining site in Meizhou, South China.
- Demonstrated scalability for industrial production.
Advantages Over Conventional Methods:
- Conventional mining has a lower recovery efficiency (40-60%).
- Conventional methods co-leach metallic elements, increasing purification costs.
- The EKM method reduces corrosion by using plastic-based electrodes.
Economic Feasibility:
- Comparable production costs due to reduced chemical agent expenses.
- Environmentally adjusted costs for conventional methods are three times higher than EKM.
Strategic Importance:
- REEs are critical for low-carbon technologies like wind turbines, catalytic converters, and batteries.
- China’s leadership in REE production plays a pivotal role in supporting the global energy transition.
Reference: SCMP
