Science & Technology Review >

2022 , Vol. 40 >Issue 8: 27 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2022.08.003

Exclusive：Sustainable development strategy of rare earth resources

Global distribution and development potential of rare earth resources

  • WANG Lu ,
  • WANG Peng ,
  • WANG Qiaochu ,
  • LIU Ying ,
  • ZHANG Biao ,
  • CHEN Weiqiang
Expand
  • 1. Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou 341100, China;
    2. Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China;
    3. Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, School of Mining and Coal, Baotou 014010, China;
    4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Received date: 2022-02-09

  Revised date: 2022-03-31

  Online published: 2022-06-10

Fold

Abstract

The rare earth is an important strategic material,but its current global reserves cannot meet the future demand. Therefore, it is urgent to find and develop potential rare earth resources. Based on previous research results, this paper proposes an evaluation index system, with assigned weights, to evaluate the development potential of the global rare earth resources. The following conclusions can be drawn. (1) The evaluation index system is composed of that of the mineral resource development potential and that of the policy environment, with a greater weight for the former and a smaller weight for the latter. (2) In terms of the prospective reserves, China has the largest reserves of the light rare earth, while Denmark (Greenland) has the largest reserves of the heavy rare earth. (3) In terms of the deposit grade, Prado mine in Brazil, Steenkampskraal mine in South Africa, Pea Ridge mine in the United States and Tomtor mine in Russia are among the top rare earth grades in the world. (4) In terms of the deposit development potential, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), Australia, Canada and the United States have the most potential rare earth deposits without counting China. In the face of the increasing supply potential of the global rare earth, China must increase the exploration of its own resources, fully understand the latest development trend of the international rare earth industry, make plans in advance, make full use of the overseas rare earth resources, and ensure the supply security and the industrial chain advantages of China's rare earth resources.

Key words： rare earth; prospective reserves; development potential; resource security

Cite this article

WANG Lu , WANG Peng , WANG Qiaochu , LIU Ying , ZHANG Biao , CHEN Weiqiang . Global distribution and development potential of rare earth resources[J]. Science & Technology Review, 2022 , 40(8) : 27 -39 . DOI: 10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2022.08.003

References

[1] 习近平在江西考察并主持召开推动中部地区崛起工作座谈会[EB/OL].(2019-05-22)[2022-02-05].http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-05/22/content_5393815.htm.
[2] 李仁虎,陈磊,贾立君,等."稀土大国"迈向"稀土强国"[N].经济参考报, 2018-09-10(04).
[3] 李仲学,周宝炉,赵怡晴.未来世界稀土供需格局分析及对策[J].稀土, 2016, 37(3):153-158.
[4] 刘思德.2018年世界稀土矿资源供给状况[J].稀土信息, 2019(1):26-28.
[5] 陈占恒.国外稀土资源开发与稀土供求关系[J].稀土信息, 2018(9):39-41.
[6] U.S.Geological Survey.Mineral commodity summaries 2021[R].New York:U.S.Geological Survey, 2021.
[7] 张丹琳.当前稀土资源现状与供需形势分析[J].国土资源情报, 2020(5):37-41.
[8] 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室.中国的稀土状况与政策[R].北京:人民出版社, 2012.
[9] 邱麟惠.中国稀土产业安全评估与对策研究[D].赣州:江西理工大学, 2020.
[10] 中华人民共和国国土资源部.稀土矿产地质勘查规范:DZ/T 0204-2002[S].北京:中华人民共和国国土资源部, 2002.
[11] Jairo Y, Elmira A.Survey of mining companies 2020[R].Vancouver:Fraser Institute, 2021.
[12] 徐曙光,闫卫东,孙春强,等.2016年世界主要国家矿业投资环境评价[J].国土资源情报, 2016(12):10-16.
[13] Zhou B L, Li Z X, Chen C C.Global potential of rare earth resources and rare earth demand from clean technologies[J].Minerals, 2017, 7(11):203.
[14] A global foreign direct investment country attractiveness index 2020[EB/OL].[2021-03-31].http://www.fdiattractiveness.com.
[15] Gröger J, Proske U, Hanebuth T J J, et al.Cycling of trace metals and rare earth elements (REE) in acid sulfate soils in the Plain of Reeds, Vietnam[J].Chemical Geology, 2011, 288(3/4):162-177.
[16] Moody M D.Mother lode:The untapped rare earth mineral resources of Vietnam[R].Newport:Naval War College, 2013.
[17] Stans Energy Corporation.Announces kutessay II JORC resource estimate, and final five years of soviet mining data[EB/OL].[2021-04-19].http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA594225.
[18] Indian Bureau of Miners.Indian minerals yearbook[EB/OL].[2021-05-19].http://ibm.nic.in/index.php? c=pages&m=index&id=551.
[19] Kovalenko V I, Tsaryeva G M, Goreglyad A V, et al.The peralkaline granite-related Khaldzan-Buregtey rare metal (Zr, Nb, REE) deposit, western Mongolia[J].Economic Geology, 1995, 90(3):530-547.
[20] Drysdall A R, Jackson N J, Ramsay C R, et al.Rare element mineralization related to Precambrian alkali granites in the Arabian Shield[J].Economic Geology, 1984, 79(6):1366-1377.
[21] Orris G J, Grauch R I.Rare earth element mines, deposits and occurrences[M].Denver:United States Geological Survey, 2002:29-33.
[22] Noble A C.Bear lodge project Canadian NI 43-101 technical report on the mineral reserves and resources and development of the bull hill mine, Wyoming[R].Sandy:Roche Engineering Incorporated, 2014.
[23] Bentzen E H, Hassan G, Galbraith L, et al.Preliminary economic assessment on the bokan mountain rare earth element project near ketchikan[M].Alaska:Tetra Technologies Incorporated, 2013:22-24.
[24] Long K R, van Gosen B S, Foley N K, et al.The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United States:A summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective[M].Dordrecht:Springer, 2012:12-14.
[25] Erik O P, David S B.Independent NI 43-101 finalized for La Paz REE project[R].Perth:Australian American Mining Corporation Limited, 2011.
[26] MP Materials Corporation.2020 annual report[R].Washington, D.C:MP Materials Corporation, 2021.
[27] Pingitore N, Clague J, Gorski D.Round Top Mountain rhyolite (Texas, USA), a massive, unique Y-bearing-fluorite-hosted heavy rare earth element (HREE) deposit[J].Journal of Rare Earths, 2014, 32(1):90-96.
[28] Gagnon G, Rousseau G, Camus Y, et al.NI 43-101 technical report:Preliminary economic assessment:Ashram rare earth deposit for commerce resources corporation[R].Québec:SGS Canada Incorporated, 2015.
[29] Eccles D R, Nicholls S, Dufresne M B.National Instrument 43-101 technical report:Consolidated and updated inferred resource estimate for the Buckton Zone, SBH Property, Northeast Alberta[R].Ontario:DNI Metals Incorporated, 2013.
[30] Jason C, Tudorel C, Kathleen A A, et al.NI 43-101 report:Technical report on the eco ridge mine project, Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada[R].Ontario:Roscoe Postle Associates Incorporated, 2012.
[31] Paktunc A D, Davé N K.Formation of secondary pyrite and carbonate minerals in the Lower Williams Lake tailings basin, Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada[J].American Mineralogist, 2002, 87(5/6):593-602.
[32] Miller R R.Pantellerite-hosted rare earth element mineralization in southeast Labrador:The Foxtrot deposit[C]//Simandl G J, Neetz M.Symposium on Strategic and Critical Materials Proceedings.Berlin:Springer, 2015:109-117.
[33] Orbite Aluminae Incorporated.NI 43-101 revised technical report, preliminary economic assessment on orbite[R].Quebec:Orbite Aluminae Incorporated, 2011.
[34] Hellman P L, Duncan R K.Evaluation of rare earth element deposits[J].Applied Earth Science, 2014, 123(2):107-117.
[35] Camus Y, Laferrière A.NI 43-101 technical report:Mineral resource estimation:Kipawa deposit, Zeus Project, Quebec[R].Québec:SGS Canada Incorporated, 2010.
[36] Friedrichs P, Meyer F M.REE database management system:Evaluation of REE deposits and occurrences[J].Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 2017, 3(1):13-31.
[37] Belzile Solutions Incorporated.NI 43-101 technical report:Montviel rare earth project[R].Québec:Belzile Solutions Incorporated, 2015.
[38] Jordens A, Marion C, Langlois R, et al.Beneficiation of the Nechalacho rare earth deposit.Part 1:Gravity and magnetic separation[J].Minerals Engineering, 2016, 99:111-122.
[39] Lafleur M P J, Eng P, Ayad M A B, et al.NI 43-101 technical report to present the mineral resources of the rare earth elements zone Niobec Mine[R].Québec:IAMGOLD Corporation, 2012.
[40] Gowans R M, Lewis W J, Shoemaker S, et al.NI 43-101 Technical report on the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the strange lake property, Quebec, Canada[R].Ontario:Micon International Limited, 2014.
[41] Daigle P.Resource estimate and technical report for the Two Tom REE deposit of the Red Wine complex, Labrador, Canada[R].Ontario:Tetra Technology Incorporated, 2012.
[42] Paulick H, Rosa D, Kalvig P.Rare earth element (REE) exploration potential and projects in greenland[R].Copenhagen:The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 2015.
[43] Thrane K, Kalvig P, Keulen N.REE deposits and occurrences in Greenland[C]//ERES2014:1st European Rare Earth Resources Conference.Milos:Greece, 2014:4-7.
[44] Dostal J.Rare earth element deposits of alkaline igneous rocks[J].Resources, 2017, 6(3):34.
[45] Cook N J, Ciobanu C L, O'Rielly D, et al.Mineral chemistry of rare earth element (REE) mineralization, Browns Ranges, Western Australia[J].Lithos, 2013, 172:192-213.
[46] Smartt M.Charley Creek rare earths project scoping study results[R].Northern Territory:Crossland Uranium Mines Limited, 2013.
[47] Jaroni M S, Friedrich B, Letmathe P.Economical feasibility of rare earth mining outside China[J].Minerals, 2019, 9(10):576.
[48] Taylor R D, Shah A K, Walsh G J, et al.Geochemistry and geophysics of iron oxide-apatite deposits and associated waste piles with implications for potential rare earth element resources from ore and historical mine waste in the eastern adirondack Highlands, New York, USA[J].Economic Geology, 2019, 114(8):1569-1598.
[49] Hellman P L, Duncan R K.Evaluation of rare earth element deposits[J].Applied Earth Science, 2014, 123(2):107-117.
[50] Jaireth S, Hoatson D M, Miezitis Y.Geological setting and resources of the major rare-earth-element deposits in Australia[J].Ore Geology Reviews, 2014, 62:72-128.
[51] Capital Mining Limited.Annual report[EB/OL].[2021-04-19].http://www.capitalmining.com.au.
[52] Arafura Resources.Annual report[EB/OL].[2021-04-19].http://www.arultd.com/investorcentre/reports/annualreports.htm.
[53] Reynolds L J, Porter T M.Geology of the Olympic dam Cu-U-Au-Ag-REE deposit[J].Hydrothermal Iron Oxide Copper-Gold and Related Deposits:A Global Perspective, 2000, 1:93-104.
[54] Verplanck P L, Mariano A N, Mariano J A.Rare earth element ore geology of carbonatites[J].Society of Economic Geologists, 2016, 18:5-32.
[55] Neumann R, Medeiros E B.Comprehensive mineralogical and technological characterization of the Araxá (SE Brazil) complex REE (Nb-P) ore, and the fate of its processing[J].International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2015, 144:1-10.
[56] Pinto Ward C.Controls on the enrichment of the Serra Verde rare earth deposit, Brazil[M].London:Imperial College London, 2017:13-19.
[57] Ribeiro C C.Geologia, geometalurgia, controles e gênese dos depósitos de fósforo, terras raras e titânio do complex carbonatítico Catalão I, GO[D].Brasília:Tese (Doutorado em Geologia)-Universidade de Brasília, 2008.
[58] Takehara L, Silveira F V, Santos R V.Potentiality of rare earth elements in Brazil[M].Rare Earths Industry, 2016:57-72.
[59] Harmer R E, Nex P A M.Rare earth deposits of Africa[J].Episodes, 2016, 39(2):381-406.
[60] Weng Z, Jowitt S M, Mudd G M, et al.A detailed assessment of global rare earth element resources:Opportunities and challenges[J].Economic Geology, 2015, 110(8):1925-1952.
[61] Ripfumelo M A.Consideration of rare earth elements (REE'S) associated with coal and coal ash in South Africa[D].Johannesburg:University of Johannesburg (South Africa), 2017.
[62] Witley C J, Swinden S, Trusler G, et al.NI 43-101 technical report and mineral resource estimate for the songwe hill rare earth element (ree) project, Phalombe District, Republic of Malawi[R].Johannesburg:Main Street America Group, 2019.
[63] Dill H G.A review of mineral resources in Malawi:With special reference to aluminum variation in mineral deposits[J].Journal of African Earth Sciences, 2007, 47(3):153-173.
[64] Swinden H S, Siegfried P.Amended 43-101 technical report on the rare earth element occurrences in the lofdal carbonatite complex, Kunene Region Khorixas District, Namibia[R].Halifax:Namibia Rare Earths Incorporated, 2011.
[65] Pollard B, Mapleson D.NI 43-101 technical report for the mrima hill niobium and rare earth project, Kwale District, Kenya[R].Kelowna:Pacific Wildcat Resources Corporation, 2013.
[66] Buyse F, Dewaele S, Decrée S, et al.Mineralogical and geochemical study of the rare earth element mineralization at Gakara (Burundi)[J].Ore Geology Reviews, 2020, 124:103659.
[67] Sarapää O, Al Ani T, Lahti S I, et al.Rare earth exploration potential in Finland[J].Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2013, 133:25-41.
[68] Balomenos E, Davris P, Deady E, et al.The EURARE project:Development of a sustainable exploitation scheme for Europe's rare earth ore deposits[J].Johnson Matthey Technology Review, 2017, 61(2):142-153.
[69] Reed G C.NI 43-101 technical report, Norra Kärr REE-Zirconium deposit[R].Twickenham:GBM Minerals Engineering Consultants Limited, 2015.
[70] Yang X, Heino N, Pakkanen L.Beneficiation studies of a rare earth ore from the olserum deposit[J].Natural Resources, 2019, 10(9):346-357.
[71] Eilu P.Mineral deposits and metallogeny of Fennoscandia[J].Geological Survey of Finland, 2012, 53:401.
[72] Niegisch M, Kamradt A, Borg G.The upper zone of the Storkwitz carbonatite[M].Sachsen:Landesamt für Umwelt, 2020:17-29.
[73] Deady E, Goodenough K, Lacinska A, et al.Rare earth element placer deposits and alkaline volcanics:A case study from Aksu Diamas, Çanakli, Turkey[J].Applied Earth Science, 2016, 125(02):79-80.
[74] Zaitsev V, Kogarko L N.Sources and perspectives of REE in the Lovozero massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia)[C]//European Minerals Conference.Kola Peninsula:EMC2012, 2012:290.
[75] 国务院发展研究中心信息网.全球矿产资源信息平台[EB/OL].[2021-03-23].http://worldminal.drcnet.com.cn/www/mineral.
[76] United States Geological Survey (USGS).President proposes $860 million USGS budget for FY2019[EB/OL].(2018-02-12)[2021-05-23].https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/president-proposes-860-million-usgsbudget-fy2019.
[77] Northern Minerals.Browns range project[EB/OL].[2021-04-19].http://northernminerals.com.au.
[78] Canada's rare earth deposits can offer substantial competitive advantages[EB/OL].[2021-04-19].https://www.cbj.ca/canada_s_rare_earth_deposits_can_offer_substantial_competitive_a.
[79] de Campos M, Rodrigues D, de Castro J.A Recent developments in the Brazilian rare earth industry[C].24th International Workshop on Rare Earth Magnets and Their Applications, Darmstadt Germany, Aug.28, 2016(4):523-533.
[80] Samsonov N Y, Tolstov A V, Pokhilenko N P, et al.Possibilities of Russian hi-tech rare earth products to meet industrial needs of BRICS countries[J].African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2017, 9(5):637-644.
[81] Khoi N N.Mineral resources potential of Vietnam and current state of mining activity[J].Applied Environmental Research, 2014, 36(1):37-46.
[82] Mez L.Rare earth strategies of Japan and EU/Germany[M].Wiesbaden:The Ecological Modernization Capacity of Japan and Germany, 2020:171-184.
[83] Verplanck P L.Rare earth element resources:Indian context[J].Economic Geology, 2020, 115(8):1875-1876.
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉

Contact

  • Add：No. 86 Xueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing　 Postal Code：100081
  • Tel: +86-10-62138113　Fax: +86-10-62138113
  • E-mail：kjdbbjb@cast.org.cn

    • Visited

      Total visitors:
      Visitors of today:
      Now online:
    Copyright © Science & Technology Review, All Rights Reserved.