Rare Earth Elements: The role of geology, exploration, and analytical geochemistry in ensuring diverse sources of supply and a globally sustainable resource

Foley, Nora K.; Vivo, Benedetto De; Salminen, Reijo

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2013.08.001

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Since most of the REEs occur intermingled within the same mineral phase, single REEs can be regarded as proxies for the REE sub-groups: neodymium for light rare earth elements (LREE) and erbium for heavy rare earth elements (HREE). A LIF map of the Nd 3+ - and Er 3+ -related luminescence enables an extraction of enrichment zones along mineralogical features, such as veins and textures, which is very valuable for exploration of potential REE deposits [34].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast 2D Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Mapping of Rare Earth Elements in Rock Samples

Seidel

Lorenz

Heinig

et al. 2019

Sensors

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Due to the rapidly increasing use of energy-efficient technologies, the need for complex materials containing rare earth elements (REEs) is steadily growing. The high demand for REEs requires the exploration of new mineral deposits of these valuable elements, as recovery by recycling is still very low. Easy-to-deploy sensor technologies featuring high sensitivity to REEs are required to overcome limitations by traditional techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence. We demonstrate the ability of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to detect REEs rapidly in relevant geological samples. We introduce two-dimensional LIF mapping to scan rock samples from two Namibian REE deposits and cross-validate the obtained results by employing mineral liberation analysis (MLA) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI). Technique-specific parameters, such as acquisition speed, spatial resolution, and detection limits, are discussed and compared to established analysis methods. We also focus on the attribution of REE occurrences to mineralogical features, which may be helpful for the further geological interpretation of a deposit. This study sets the basis for the development of a combined mapping sensor for HSI and 2D LIF measurements, which could be used for drill-core logging in REE exploration, as well as in recovery plants.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast 2D Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Mapping of Rare Earth Elements in Rock Samples

Seidel

Lorenz

Heinig

et al. 2019

Sensors

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“…It is often associated with ore deposits (Bhushan and Kumar, 2013;Foley et al, 2013;Nikiforov et al, 2014), which may be formed directly from subducted carbonates or reactivated by subduction processes (Yang et al, 2009;Ling et al, 2013b). In this volume, carbonatite in South Qinling orogenic belt was attributed to the Early-Middle Triassic recycled Mianlue oceanic crust.…”

mentioning

confidence: 89%

The Subduction Factory: Geochemical perspectives

Sun

Teng

Niu

et al. 2014

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

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“…Coal, bauxite, oil, and gas resources have also been considered as possible sources of by-product rare earths; these are likewise not currently economic. All of these concentration mechanisms have been the focus of research since 2011 (19,20).…”

Section: The Resource Base and Geologic Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Rare Earths: Market Disruption, Innovation, and Global Supply Chains

Eggert

Wadia

Anderson

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour.

102

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Rare earths, sometimes called the vitamins of modern materials, captured public attention when their prices increased more than tenfold in 2010 and 2011. As prices fell between 2011 and 2016, rare earths receded from public view, but less visibly, they became a major focus of innovative activity in companies, government laboratories, and universities. Geoscientists worked to better understand the resource base and improve our knowledge about mineral deposits that can be mines in the future. Process engineers carried out research that is making primary production and recycling more efficient. Materials scientists and engineers searched for substitutes that require fewer or no rare earths while providing properties comparable or superior to those of existing materials. As a result, even though global supply chains are not significantly different now than they were before the market disruption, the innovative activity motivated by the disruption will likely have far-reaching, if unpredictable, consequences for supply chains of rare earths in the future.

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Rare Earth Elements: The role of geology, exploration, and analytical geochemistry in ensuring diverse sources of supply and a globally sustainable resource

Cited by 12 publications

References 37 publications

Fast 2D Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Mapping of Rare Earth Elements in Rock Samples

Fast 2D Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Mapping of Rare Earth Elements in Rock Samples

The Subduction Factory: Geochemical perspectives

Rare Earths: Market Disruption, Innovation, and Global Supply Chains

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