Ian Power’s Post

"No one has addressed the costs of 'digging up' and transporting millions of tons of clay to a processing site, then extracting the rare earths, and then neutralizing the residues and then returning them to either the original site or to a site prepared to hold them. The very low grades of payables in clays makes their digging up, transport, treatment, and re-transport to the mine site a very HIGH part of the costs." Source: https://lnkd.in/geGjzdDv #rareearths #alternativeinvestment #criticalminerals

🌍🔍 Exploring the Future of Critical Raw Materials Supply: A Focus on Rare Earth Elements 📢 Exciting news from the research front! Our latest paper delves into the critical issue of raw materials supply, specifically focusing on the potential of rare earth elements (REEs) in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. As EU countries grapple with supply challenges, this study highlights innovative solutions, including the exploitation of natural ore deposits and extractive waste. 🔍 The research investigates the rich deposits of siliceous stones and extractive waste, offering a sustainable pathway to reduce supply chain risks. By meticulously analyzing mining activities, sampling, and characterizing geochemical, mineralogical, petrographic, and environmental aspects, we reveal promising findings. 📈 This study not only highlights potential environmental and economic benefits but also presents a replicable approach for other regions. It's a valuable resource for decision-makers to strategically focus their efforts and investments. 🔗 Read the full paper here and join the conversation on the future of sustainable raw materials supply! https://lnkd.in/dwDKScVZ #RareEarthElements #SustainableMining #CriticalRawMaterials #ResearchInnovation #EUresources #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalSustainability #MiningResearch #PiedmontRegion @MDPIOpenAccess

After WWI, Geology Professor C. K. Leith identified the need for a cohesive national critical minerals strategy. One of his ideas was the equitable distribution of and access to minerals by the world's nations to avoid conflict by resource starved nations like Germany and Japan. He also advocated a national stockpile to insure against supply chain shocks. Between the wars, his ideas were mostly ignored. Today, again, we find ourselves in need of a coherent national critical minerals strategy. Leith's ideas are as relevant today as they were a century ago. https://lnkd.in/gR9f2x9V

Formation of Copper Carbonate Copper carbonate can form through several processes: Weathering of Copper Ores: Copper carbonate minerals often form as a result of the weathering of primary copper sulfide ores, such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). As these ores are exposed to weathering processes, copper ions are released and can react with carbonate ions in the environment. Reaction with Carbon Dioxide: When copper salts are exposed to carbon dioxide in the presence of water, they can react to form copper carbonate. For example: Cu2++CO32−→CuCO3Cu2++CO32−→CuCO3 This reaction can occur in natural settings or in laboratory conditions. Biological Processes: Certain microorganisms can facilitate the precipitation of copper carbonate through biological processes. These organisms can alter the local chemistry, leading to the formation of copper carbonate minerals. Synthetic Production: Copper carbonate can also be synthesized in controlled laboratory conditions by reacting copper(II) salts with sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate. This method allows for the production of pure copper carbonate for industrial and research purposes.  #mining #metalmining #exploration #geology #earthsciences #copper #carbonate

Want to know more about #REE deposits in South Australia - this new publication will get you started.

Scientists are setting out to see whether seaweed has another particularly valuable trick hidden up its proverbial sleeve: to act as a salty, slimy source of precious minerals. The U.S. Department of Energy is the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has awarded $5 million to three ventures investigating whether seaweed can serve as a practical source of crucial materials, such as platinum and rhodium, as well as rare-earth elements, including neodymium, lanthanum, yttrium, and dysprosium. https://lnkd.in/e_AUii49

The Government of Canada, through PrairiesCan and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), is investing over $16M to support Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to advance bastnaesite processing and study of critical minerals in #Saskatchewan. This investment includes $15.96 million from PrairiesCan to enable SRC to acquire bastnaesite from Canadian sources and create new capacity for bastnaesite processing, which will be integrated with SRC’s existing facility. SRC will process bastnaesite to produce a mixed rare earth product, which will be further processed using SRC’s solvent extraction and metal smelting technology to produce rare earth metals. As part of this, SRC will also collaborate with a local educational institution to develop and deliver a training program for Indigenous students to operate the bastnaesite processing equipment. An additional $209,330 from Natural Resources Canada, under the Critical Minerals Geoscience Data (CMGC) Initiative, will help create a publicly available database of mineral characteristics, with the goal of expanding understanding of critical mineral deposits in Canada and reducing mining waste. This investment is an example of the greater collaboration called for in the new Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy. The Framework is as a long-term commitment to better coordination between federal departments, driving strategic investments across the Prairies and collaboration with other levels of government and Prairie partners. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaQ_hKQn #PrairiesCanFunded #GreenPrairieEconomy #RareEarthElements #CriticalMinerals

My latest publication investigates the intricate behavior of iron, sulfur, and trace metals in coal mine soils during pyrite weathering. At the grain scale, secondary iron oxides in the soil exhibit enrichment of toxic metals such as Mn, Cr, Ni, and Cu, emphasizing the potential for their remobilization under changing redox conditions. This research highlights the long-term environmental impact of mine spoils and the critical need for innovative management strategies. https://lnkd.in/eKcWvrrt

Findings, facts, and ongoing risks of further landslides, including the possibility cyanide contamination extending to the Euphrates, should keep attention focused on Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey’s eastern Erzincan province and on major shareholder SSR’s executive oversight of a heap leach that was above a “controllable level”,on or near a fault line and possibly in the zone of influence of on site use of explosives. The Toronto and Australian exchanges where where SSR is listed should take note of these findings by scientists from Trabzon Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ) Landslide Application and Research Center. The heap leach at Çöpler exceeded international standards by 70% and was the principal cause of the landslide. Hakan Ersoy, member of the board of directors of the research center, underscored, "We have determined that the heap leach, which is a maximum of 150 meters in the world standards, reached 257 meters here which is an unbelievable figure.”  https://lnkd.in/gwcHA96F World Exchanges, World Bank, IFC, ICCM,COE, Lloyds, International Banks should also take note. Tailings aren’t the only threat to a sustainable world mineral supply. "Unstable landforms" may better state the highest consequence multi dimensional risk to a sustainable world mineral supply.

We’re investing in future economic opportunities presented by our critical minerals wealth, ensuring that Canadians will benefit from the mining, processing and sale of rare earth elements and other critical minerals through the creation of good jobs, expansion of the mining sector and prospects for future innovations and reduced emissions.