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Jamaica Breaks Ground on Rare-Earth Elements Project in Red Mud

Details: Category: Rare Earth News; Published on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 14:52; Hits: 2643

Jamaican and Japanese officials on Monday launched a pilot project designed to investigate whether rare-earth elements can be commercially extracted from the island's bauxite waste.

Researchers with Japan's Nippon Light Metal Co. Ltd. believe they have found high concentrations of rare-earth elements in the island's red mud, a byproduct of bauxite refining into alumina, the basic material for manufacturing aluminum.

During the pilot project, researchers from the two countries will treat some 30 tons of dry red mud with acid to potentially extract some of the 17 rare-earth elements that are vital in manufacturing smartphones, plasma screens, wind turbines, satellites and numerous other high-tech products.

In Jamaica, where the economy is tough and the local currency is sliding, hopes are soaring that the pilot project at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute's headquarters could result in a commercial deal to extract rare-earth oxides from the red waste stored in containment ponds around mining grounds.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said that if the joint venture proves viable, it could be among the most "significant projects ever undertaken in Jamaica."

"This project represents the kind of industrial diversification that this country needs it if is to realize its economic potential and improve living standards for our people," Simpson Miller told Japanese dignitaries and Jamaican officials, scientists and businessmen.

Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, said he believes that that since Jamaica's dry red mud deposits are stored in containment ponds he believes it will be simple and safe to harvest.

"There will be no mining operations and related pressures on the environment," said Lyew-Ayee, who described the long-discussed feasibility of extracting rare-earth elements from bauxite tailings as a sort of "holy grail" on the island, where treated red mud was formerly used to make bricks for building sites.

China is now the globe's main supplier of rare-earth elements. Worried by that dominance, manufacturers around the globe have been spurring searches for other sources that could be profitably mined.

Rare-earth elements aren't scarce, but few places exist with enough concentrations to be profitable. They are difficult to isolate in a purified form and require advanced technology to extract.

Paul Henderson, an honorary professor in the earth sciences department at University College London and who is not involved in the research in Jamaica, said the rock from which any bauxite is derived will ultimately determine its rare-earth contents. "Not all bauxites will have much in the way of rare earths," Henderson said in an email.

But Nippon Light Metal believes that the concentration of rare-earth elements in Jamaica's red mud is "significantly greater" than other international red mud sites and it hopes to eventually extract 1,500 metric tons of rare-earth elements per year, said Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell.

Nippon has agreed to invest $3 million in buildings and equipment for the pilot project while also being responsible for operating costs. Any rare-earth elements extracted during this phase will be jointly owned by Jamaica and the Japanese company. Negotiations for commercialization are expected to occur later.

Paulwell said in Parliament last month that rare-earth oxides were being traded at $3,500 per kilogram.

Speculating on the demand for rare-earth elements in the future "is a bit like looking into the tea leaves other than the fact that demand is sure to increase," Henderson said from Britain.

"By how much depends of course on the possible introduction of new technologies and range of other issues such as how much investment in green energies, especially wind turbines, changes," he said.

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Reinhard Bütikofer - "China Will Become a Net Importer of Rare Earths"

Details: Category: Rare Earth News; Published on Monday, 04 February 2013 16:54; Hits: 2680

China and the EU are locked in a trade row over rare earths, chemical elements essential for manufacturing cell phones. DW discussed the dispute with Reinhard Bütikofer, member of the EU Parliament's Energy Committee.

DW: Mr. Bütikofer, a row over natural resources with China has escalated in the past couple months. The EU, together with the US and Japan, has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). What will come of that complaint?

Bütikofer: The case remains under adjudication. I would assume that a decision will be made over the course of this year. It would be foolhardy to speculate about a result right now. Even if the US, Europe and Japan are successful, I would assume that the case will be appealed, so we probably won't know before 2014 what the legal situation is.

What are the concrete allegations against China?

I'm not among those who think that the EU's approach is particularly clever. The accusations are related in particular to the export restriction that China has implemented for rare earths. More precisely put: When China joined the World Trade Organization, it promised not to implement exactly this kind of export restriction, and now Beijing is no longer honoring that promise. I am not competent to judge the merits of the case. My perspective is a political one. I fear that if the EU wins at the WTO, that it will be a hollow victory. I believe that we have to change our strategy to one of cooperation.

At the moment, it looks as if the EU and China are on two different sides of the issue. But the forecasts suggest that China will become a net importer of rare earths. In this respect, one can certainly imagine that - with the appropriate efforts - both sides could reach common ground.
China tries to halt rare earth price dive

China has a monopoly on rare earth production. Talk is of 97 percent. So who should China import from?

At the moment, China is absolutely in the leading position. But new rare earth deposits are being found in many different countries around the world: Vietnam, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Canada, Australia and the US. There are also deposits in Europe - in Greenland, for example. These rare earths are not rare at all. Only about 30 to 35 percent of the world's deposits are found in China. Other countries just haven't moved forward with extraction up until now, for a host of different reasons. But now they are moving forward.

That means that the situation is not as dire as it has been made out to be? Rare earths are neither rare nor scare?

Rare earths are currently scarce. Above all, the so-called "heavy" rare earths are not discovered so often. But geologically speaking, they are not scarce. And we are not at all in a situation where we can be blackmailed - where we either have to confront the Chinese or simply do what Beijing wants us to do. There are opportunities for diversification. There are technological possibilities that would allow us to use rare earths more efficiently. There are recycling strategies that were never considered in the past.

The Chinese, for their part, have a big problem with the extraction of rare earths, because there are a lot of negative environmental effects. To put it dramatically, it's really an environmental mess. The Europeans and Japanese have a lot of technology that could help the Chinese overcome these difficulties. In this respect, both sides could be quite useful to each other.

The governance of raw materials on the international level also has to be reformed. It's no longer just a few industrialized countries that have a demand for these materials. The regulatory framework needs to reflect the reality that more and more countries are developing their own industries. And Europe could seize the initiative there with China and with a few African countries.

Do you think Europe and Japan should help China develop its extraction technology, instead of suing Beijing?

The Japanese have already offered that. I believe that it's the right path. Naturally, such business has to be based on reciprocity. China could provide Europe with a secure supply of rare earths for the next 15 years and receive technological know-how in exchange.

Are there already discussions about such an arrangement?

There's even a working group that has been set up between Europe and China to discuss such questions. But unfortunately, the working group has - to my knowledge - never met, because the daily agenda could not be agreed upon due to some sort of diplomatic dispute.

Reinhard Bütikofer was the federal chairman of Germany's Alliance 90/The Greens. Since 2009, he has been a representative in the European Parliament and a member of the Energy Committee. He's been chairman of the European Green Party since 2012.

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Legislation Introduced to Urge Increasing Production of Rare Earth Elements in Alaska

Details: Category: Rare Earth News; Published on Friday, 01 February 2013 16:59; Hits: 2558

JUNEAU-Senator Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, today introduced a resolution aimed at boosting the exploration and production of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Alaska. Senate Joint Resolution 8 calls on Congress to support the efforts of Alaska to develop REEs for the benefit of the economic and national security of the United States.

“The United States used to be almost self-sufficient in rare earth elements, but now we almost completely rely upon foreign sources for those important minerals,” said Senator McGuire. “We need to move now to become a dominant world player in the development of rare earth elements which are critical for military and economic security, as well as renewable energy systems.”

China currently produces 95-percent of the world’s rare earth elements, but reduced the exports of those elements by 54-percent between 2005 to 2010, and then another by nearly 50-percent in from 2010 to 2011.

“It poses a huge risk to our national and energy security to be forced to rely on other foreign nations to manufacture our high-tech military equipment as well as our wind turbines, solar panels, advanced batteries, and geothermal steam turbines,” said Senator McGuire. “That’s why as a nation, we need to start developing and producing the rare earth minerals that we have in our own backyard.”The minerals are also needed for manufacturing almost all high-tech consumer goods including flat screen TVs, computers, tablets and cell phones.

“As China continues to withdraw its supply of rare earth elements from the world market, we need to be ready to fill those supplies or we will see devastating economic consequences,” said Senator McGuire. “On the flip side, building rare earth element research and production facilities here in the 49thstate will create new job and career opportunities for Alaskans.”

The resolution also calls for the state to work with several federal agencies including the United States Geological Survey, to identify REE deposits in the state, develop an REE information database, and promote the development of Alaska’s REE industry. Additionally, the resolution calls on state agencies that deal with permitting to expedite consideration and issuance of REE permits.

“So far, we have identified at least 70 sites in Alaska that contain rare earth elements. Several experts have said it is likely that Alaska has one of the most significant rare-earth prospects in North America,” said Senator McGuire. “If we play our cards right, this could secure our future as the lead supplier of America’s rare earth mineral needs.”

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Rare Earth Minerals Seeks Greenland Rare Earth Exploration Licence

Details: Category: Rare Earth News; Published on Monday, 04 February 2013 16:31; Hits: 2508

Rare Earth Minerals said it has applied to Greenland authorities for a strategic 38 sq km mineral exploration licence.

It said the licence's northeast boundary was about 500m from a Greenland Minerals and Energy licence that hosted the Kvanefjeld rare earth element, uranium and zinc deposit.

Chief executive David Lenigas said: "This is a very strategic block in Greenland as it immediately abuts the world class Kvanefjeld rare earth/uranium/zinc deposit.

"We have been active in Greenland for some time securing acreage around the Greenland Minerals rare earth oxides deposits," he said.

"We see this whole regional play as becoming more valuable as GGG gets closer to completing their feasibility study."

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ALJ Bullock terminates investigation in Certain Sintered Rare Earth Magnets

Details: Category: Rare Earth News; Published on Friday, 01 February 2013 16:47; Hits: 2626

ALJ Charles E. Bullock issued the public version of Order No. 44 (dated January 8, 2013) in Certain Sintered Rare Earth Magnets, Methods of Making Same and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-855).

According to the Order, ALJ Bullock granted a motion filed by Complainants Hitachi Metals, Ltd. and Hitachi Metals North Carolina, Ltd. (collectively, “Hitachi Metals”) to terminate the investigation based on withdrawal of the complaint as to Respondents TELEX Communications, Inc. (“TELEX”) and Electro-Voice, Inc. (“Electro-Voice”).

The motion was based on Bosch Security Systems, Inc’s (“Bosch”) assertion that TELEX and Electro-Voice are not separate corporate entities independent of Bosch. The Commission Investigative Staff supported the motion. Accordingly, ALJ Bullock granted the motion and terminated the investigation as to TELEX and Electro-Voice.

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