A recent research paper titled “By-product recovery from US metal mines could reduce import reliance for critical minerals”, published by researchers from the Colorado School of Mines, provides fascinating information. If by-product recovery at active mines was widely used, it could make other recently proposed extreme measures for obtaining critical minerals, including deep-sea mining, unnecessary.
Rare-earth elements are widely distributed around our planet but found only in low concentrations that are difficult to extract and separate from ore. China controls nearly 90% of these elements that are produced and processed world-wide–-a supply chain and security situation that many consider unstable.
Demand is rising rapidly for many types of metals, along with an increase in e-waste containing valuable and hazardous materials. Knowledgeable researchers believe that metals already in use, in infrastructure, or in waste can make up much, if not most, of the metals that we will need. Opening new mines should be a last resort.
