Terres rares : Exploration et production miniére

[energy_isere]

en relation avec ce post du 11 juillet 2021 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 4#p2322364

Energy Fuels starts commercial production of separated rare earths in Utah
In the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, the company anticipates producing 25–35 tonnes (t) of on-spec, separated neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr).

June 11, 2024

US-based uranium producer Energy Fuels has started commercial production of NdPr at its White Mesa Mill in Utah.

The NdPr produced meets the specifications required by rare earth element (REE) metal-makers for the manufacture of permanent magnets, essential for electric vehicles and hybrid power systems.

Energy Fuels has reached full design capacity of its new Phase 1 REE separation circuit, with commercial quantities of separated NdPr expected to be available for shipment by the end of June 2024.

This achievement is notable as it represents the first time in decades that a US company has produced on-spec separated REEs from monazite on a commercial scale.

Energy Fuels has been refining and separating NdPr from monazite sourced from the Chemours Company’s operations in Florida and Georgia.

The construction of the Phase 1 REE Separation Circuit was completed in Q1 2024 for approximately $16m, lower than the original $25m budget.

Energy Fuels added that the integration of REE separation processes has not impacted the mill’s uranium production capabilities, with a uranium processing campaign planned for Q3 2024.

In Q2 2024, the company anticipates producing 25–35t of on-spec, separated NdPr.

The company also plans to produce a samarium-plus heavy REE concentrate and recover uranium from the monazite feedstocks.

Efforts are under way to pilot-scale dysprosium and terbium separation, aiming to produce these heavy REEs to meet metal and alloy-making specifications.

Following the NdPr production, Energy Fuels will focus on uranium production, with an expected output of 150,000–500,000 pounds of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) in 2024, increasing in 2025.

Energy Fuels is securing monazite supply through acquisitions including the Bahia Project in Brazil, the Donald Project joint venture, and the pending acquisition of Base Resources and the Toliara Project in Madagascar.

Energy Fuels president and CEO Mark Chalmers said: “We have achieved a significant milestone for the Energy Fuels, for Utah, and for the United States: the commercial production of separated rare earths that meet applicable product specifications, while simultaneously ramping up domestic uranium production aggressively.

“With this announcement, Energy Fuels can confirm the return of separated rare earth production from monazite back to the US after a multi-decade absence, in addition to the return of technological know-how and expertise in this extremely important field that is critical to national and economic security.”

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... n/?cf-view

la page WEB de l'industriel : https://www.energyfuels.com/ree-production

[energy_isere]

Critical Metals to acquire controlling stake in Greenland REE project
The Tanbreez project, which has an estimated resource of 4.7 billion tonnes, is one of the largest rare earth deposits globally.

June 11, 2024

US-based Critical Metals has entered a binding heads of agreement with Rimbal to purchase a controlling stake in the Tanbreez Rare Earth Mine (REE) in Greenland.

Critical Metals will acquire the stake in a $211m deal from a company controlled by geologist Gregory Barnes.

Commenting on the deal, Critical Metals CEO and chairman Tony Sage said: “Tanbreez is a game-changing rare earth mine for the West, and is a key step towards positioning Critical Metals Corp as the preeminent critical minerals supplier with a diversified, multi-asset portfolio that spans multiple geographies.

“With Tanbreez expected to be under the Critical Metals Corp banner, we will have the ability to further support our commercial network in Europe while simultaneously being able to evaluate additional opportunities to tap into the upside potential of the North American market.

“Critical Metals Corp continues to capitalise on macro-economic tailwinds and government support which are accelerating the demand for critical minerals as we play an essential role in supporting the green energy transition.”

The Tanbreez Project is a globally significant critical minerals asset with an exploitation licence issued by the Greenland Government.

With an estimated resource of 4.7 billion tonnes, the Tanbreez Project is one of the largest rare earth deposits globally. It is located near the transportation facilities and has minimal environmental impact.

It is poised to meet the growing demand for REEs in North America and Europe. REEs are vital for the production of next-generation technologies and defence industry applications.

The project holds over 27% heavy rare earth elements, which are more valuable than light rare earth elements.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... e/?cf-view



https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-Gene ... China.html

[energy_isere]

Terres rares : la Chine sécurise la production de la première mine de Tanzanie

Agence Ecofin 21 juin 2024

La Chine assure entre 80 et 90 % de l’approvisionnement mondial en terres rares. Au-delà de sa production nationale, Pékin peut compter sur des mines où ses compagnies ont signé des accords d’achat, comme sur la mine de terres rares Ngualla en Tanzanie.

En Tanzanie, Peak Rare Earths a obtenu les approbations nécessaires pour finaliser un contrat de vente de concentré de terres rares qui sera produit sur sa future mine Ngualla. C’est l’annonce faite le 21 juin par la compagnie australienne qui précise que l’acheteur est son partenaire chinois Shenghe Resources.

Dans le détail, le contrat d’approvisionnement porte sur 100 % de la production de Ngualla sur une période initiale de sept ans qui pourra être prolongée d’un commun accord. Les deux parties se sont par ailleurs entendues pour que Shenghe rachète au moins 50 % de tout produit intermédiaire à base de terres rares (carbonate mixte de terres rares ou oxydes de terres rares séparés) livré par la mine.

« Cela marque une nouvelle étape importante dans la réduction des risques et renforce la position de Ngualla comme l’un des projets de terres rares les plus attrayants et les plus avancés au monde. Notre accord d’achat avec Shenghe offre un niveau de paiement plus élevé et soutient notre processus de financement par emprunt qui progresse rapidement », a commenté Bardin Davis, PDG de Peak.

Pour rappel, Shenghe est le plus grand importateur de concentré de terres rares en Chine et détient environ 19,8 % d’intérêts dans Peak. Le groupe chinois devrait participer à la mobilisation des fonds nécessaires à la construction de la mine, estimé à 321 millions de dollars dans une étude de 2023. Prévue pour être la première mine de terres rares de Tanzanie, Ngualla peut livrer annuellement 16 200 tonnes de concentré de terres rares sur une durée de vie de 24 ans.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/terres-rar ... e-tanzanie

[energy_isere]

Brazil joins race to loosen China’s grip on rare earths industry

Reuters | June 17, 2024


Caldeira rare earth project in Brazil. Image from Meteoric Resources.

Mining giant Brazil has big ambitions to build a rare earths industry as Western economies push to secure the metals needed for magnets used in green energy and defence and break China’s dominance of the supply chain.


Working to its advantage are low labour costs, clean energy, established regulations and proximity to end markets, including Latin America’s first magnet plant which would provide a ready buyer for the metals.

But low rare earths prices, technical challenges and nervous lenders pose challenges to the Latin American nation’s hopes to propel itself into the world’s top five rare earths producers.

The pace at which Brazil’s rare earths projects come together will be a test for how successful the West may be at building a new advanced industry almost from scratch to break China’s grip.

Brazil holds the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves. The country’s first rare earths mine, Serre Verde, started commercial production this year.



Output is set to grow, analysts, mining CEOs and investors say, supported by Western government incentives that are also accelerating a global rare earths refining and processing industry.

“Brazil as a source of potential rare earths is a very exciting proposition because there have been some very meaningful discoveries made in the past couple of years,” said Daniel Morgan of Barrenjoey investment bank in Sydney.

“I do think outside of China, Brazil’s projects are the most economic greenfield projects available.”

The US and its allies, almost entirely dependent on China for rare earths metals and magnets, set out to build a separate supply chain by 2027 after deliveries were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic early this decade.

Long haul

China produced 240,000 metric tons of rare earths last year, more than five times the next biggest producer, the United States, according to US Geological Survey data. It processes around 90% of the global supply of rare earths into permanent magnets used in everything from wind turbines to electric vehicles and missiles.

For countries like Australia, Vietnam and Brazil looking to catch up, progress is slow. Serra Verde has taken 15 years to get into production. It is expected to produce 5,000 tons this year and could double output by 2030, its CEO said.

“Serra Verde and Brazil have significant competitive advantages that could underpin the development of a globally significant rare earths industry over the long term,” Serra Verde CEO Thras Moraitis told Reuters.

Those include attractive geology, access to hydropower, established regulations and a skilled workforce, he said.

“It is still a nascent sector which will require continued support to establish itself in a highly competitive market. Key processing technologies are controlled by a small number of players,” he said.

Brazil could have two or three more rare earths mines by 2030, potentially exceeding Australia’s current annual output, said Reg Spencer, an analyst at broker Canaccord.

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https://www.mining.com/web/brazil-joins ... -industry/

[energy_isere]

La Chine renforce son contrôle sur les Terres rares :

China tightens management of rare earths with new regulation

Bloomberg News | June 29, 2024

China tightened the management of its rare earths industry with the approval of the first comprehensive regulation governing the mining, metal smelting and circulation of the mineral.


Rare earths belong to the country and no organization or individual are allowed to claim them, the State Council said in a statement on its website. The state will take charge of protective mining of the resource, it said. The new rules take effect on Oct. 1.

Government agencies will have control over the total amount of rare-earth mining and smelting, and will establish a product traceability system, it added. The regulation also stated penalties for illegal activities involving the mineral’s output.

China has long had a near-monopoly on supply of refined materials such as rare earths, lithium and graphite, which are vital to high-tech manufacturing and the green energy transition. The country accounts for about 70% of the world’s production of rare earths. It has been consolidating its mining assets and established China Rare Earth Group Co. in 2021 through the merger of several key producers.

https://www.mining.com/web/china-tighte ... egulation/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 11 avril 2018 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 3#p2268263

l'histoire des nodules sous marins prés de l'ile de Minamitorishima ressort avec encore plus de ressources :

Japan finds over 200 million tonnes of battery metals in seabed

by Cecilia Jamasmie (Mining.com – June 25, 2024)
June 27, 2024

Japanese researchers have found more than 200 million tonnes of manganese nodules rich in battery metals in the Pacific Ocean, within the country’s exclusive economic zone. The team of experts from the University of Tokyo and the Nippon Foundation said the fist-sized nodules cover an extensive area of the seabed near Minamitorishima, a remote Tokyo Island.

These metals-rich rocks are located at depths of about 5,500 metres and are thought to be very similar to the polymetallic nodules found in the Clarion-Clipperton zone in the Pacific, as they hold cobalt, nickel and copper in addition to manganese.

The team estimates the deposit contains 610,000 tonnes of cobalt (equivalent to 75 years of Japan’s consumption) and 740,000 tonnes of nickel (11 years), according to the Japan Times. The Nippon Foundation and other entities expect to start large-scale extraction of nodules next year, to be delivered to Japanese companies with the capability to process them.
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https://republicofmining.com/2024/06/27 ... e-25-2024/


Professor Yasuhiro Kato of the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo (center right) and Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation (left), hold manganese nodules, a seafloor resource found in the waters surrounding Minamitorishima, Tokyo, on Friday. | JIJI


Manganese nodules, a seabed resource found in the waters around Minamitorishima, Tokyo, on Friday | JIJI
The spherical nodules, which measure up to tens of centimeters in diameter, grow when iron and manganese oxides dissolved in seawater precipitate around their nuclei, like stones and shark teeth. The nodules also contain copper.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/ ... tals-find/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 15 avril 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 1#p2367491

Une société danoise veut s’approvisionner sur un projet de terres rares en Namibie

Agence Ecofin 04 juillet 2024

La compagnie Namibia Critical Metals développe avec la société japonaise JOGMEC le projet Lofdal en Namibie. Elle vient de signer un accord avec une société danoise pour lui vendre un sous-produit de sa future mine de terres rares dans le pays.

Namibia Critical Metals a annoncé le 3 juillet la signature d’un protocole d’accord non contraignant pour vendre du thorium produit sur son projet de terres rares namibien Lofdal. L’acheteur se trouve être la société danoise Copenhagen Atomics qui permet ainsi à la compagnie minière de générer un revenu grâce à un sous-produit de sa future mine.

« Nous sommes très heureux d’offrir à nos actionnaires et à notre partenaire JOGMEC la possibilité de tirer un nouveau revenu potentiel d’un produit radioactif qu’il était prévu de rejeter dans les résidus miniers », indique en effet Darrin Campbell, président de Namibia Critical Metals.

Le protocole d’accord conclu doit encore être finalisé dans un délai d’un an, avec une quantité définie, une date de livraison et des spécifications de qualité pour le produit. Notons que Lofdal peut livrer annuellement 100 tonnes d’oxyde de thorium en pleine production. Métal lourd de couleur argentée, le thorium devrait être utilisé par Copenhagen Atomics pour des réacteurs à sels fondus utilisés dans l’industrie nucléaire. La société danoise développe le projet depuis une décennie et veut commencer le déploiement commercial en 2029.

Pour rappel, le projet Lofdal est développé avec l’appui de la société japonaise JOGMEC. Il peut livrer annuellement environ 2 000 tonnes d’oxydes de terres rares (TREO), dont 117 tonnes de dysprosium et 17,5 tonnes de terbium, sur une durée de vie de la mine de 16 ans.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/terres-rar ... en-namibie

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 16 juillet 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 2#p2373652

L’australien Lindian veut lancer sa première mine africaine de terres rares en 2025

Agence Ecofin 01 juillet 2024

La Chine domine l’approvisionnement mondial en terres rares. Pour offrir des alternatives aux acheteurs, des investisseurs se sont lancés depuis quelques années à l’assaut des gisements africains. C’est le cas de Lindian qui est le propriétaire du projet Kangankunde au Malawi.

Lindian Resources a publié le 1er juillet les résultats d’une étude de faisabilité pour son projet de terres rares Kangankunde au Malawi. Grâce à un investissement initial de 40 millions $, la mine devrait entrer en service en 2025 et livrer au total 685 716 tonnes de concentré de terres rares sur la phase 1 (45 ans).

Lindian s’attend à boucler le financement nécessaire pour développer la mine au cours du troisième trimestre 2024, afin de permettre le début des travaux de construction d’ici la fin de l’année. La mise en service de l’usine de traitement devrait alors intervenir au quatrième trimestre 2025.

Une fois en production, Kangankunde peut livrer annuellement 15 323 tonnes de concentré, contenant 1 613 tonnes d’oxydes de néodyme et de praséodyme (NdPr). Il s’agit de deux métaux de terres rares très demandés dans l’industrie des véhicules électriques et dans le secteur de l’énergie éolienne. Sur la durée de vie de la phase 1, Kangankunde devrait livrer 72 203 tonnes de NdPr.

« Les résultats de l’étude de faisabilité réaffirment le statut de classe mondiale du projet Kangankunde et son positionnement concurrentiel pour répondre à la demande croissante de terres rares. Le projet se distingue par sa teneur élevée, ses faibles niveaux d’impuretés et sa structure de coûts attrayante », a commenté Alwyn Vorster, PDG de Lindian.

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https://www.agenceecofin.com/terres-rar ... es-en-2025

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 02 juin 2024 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 3#p2392033

Des financements de l' Allemagne et de la Corée du Sud pour la future mine de terres rares Nolans en Australie.

Arafura gets $115m in German loan guarantees for Nolans project
These guarantees are set to bolster Arafura's position as a major supplier of rare earth elements (REEs) outside of China.

July 4, 2024

Arafura Rare Earths has obtained conditional approval for up to $115m (€106.5m) in loan guarantees from the German Government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for its Nolans project in Australia’s Northern Territory.

These guarantees, provided by German ECA Euler Hermes, are set to bolster Arafura’s position as a major supplier of REEs outside of China.

The ten-year untied loan guarantees will aid in the debt financing of the Nolans rare earths project, ensuring a steady supply of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) to Germany-based companies, including Siemens Gamesa.

This development is a strategic move to establish Arafura as a key player in the global rare earths market.

Arafura has stated that the backing from Euler Hermes marks the final German ECA approval required to complete the senior debt structure for the project. This support is pivotal in finalising the targeted $775m senior debt funding with commercial lenders.

The miner needs to uphold ECA-linked offtake agreements throughout the loan’s duration.

Arafura managing director Darryl Cuzzubbo stated: “Today Arafura reached another significant milestone in announcing conditional approval of US$115m in untied loan guarantees from Euler Hermes.

“We continue to demonstrate the increasing geostrategic importance of the Nolans project and developing a diversified global NdPr supply chain, this time by securing German export credit agency support. This agreement is linked to offtake with German-based companies, including our key customer Siemens Gamesa, who are global leaders in building wind turbines to advance the energy transition.”

Earlier this week, Arafura received conditional approval for a $150m (A$223m) debt financing package from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) for the Nolans project, preceded by $300m in debt funding approval from Export Development Canada in May.

The Nolans project is a rare earth ore to oxide mining and processing facility, which includes a mine, process plant and associated infrastructure at a site 135km north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... &cf-closed

[energy_isere]

Terres rares : l’Afrique produira 9 % de l’offre mondiale d’ici 2029

Agence Ecofin 11 juillet 2024

La domination chinoise sur les terres rares inquiète les États-Unis ou encore l’Europe qui cherchent à réduire leur dépendance. Selon de nouvelles prévisions de Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, l’Afrique devrait commencer par s’affirmer comme une alternative crédible dans les années à venir.

Alors qu’ils ne jouent actuellement qu’un rôle mineur sur le marché des terres rares, les pays africains devraient contribuer pour 9 % à l’approvisionnement mondial d’ici 2029. C’est ce qu’indique un nouveau rapport de Benchmark Mineral Intelligence relayé cette semaine par plusieurs médias internationaux, précisant que huit nouvelles mines devraient entrer en service en Tanzanie, en Angola, au Malawi et en Afrique du Sud.

Si en 2017 une première mine africaine de terres rares (Gakara) a été mise en service au Burundi par la société Rainbow Rare Earths, les opérations sont suspendues depuis 2021 par le gouvernement. La compagnie a indiqué à plusieurs reprises être en négociation avec l’État pour relancer les activités, mais aucune évolution n’a été annoncée. Elle se concentre même depuis plusieurs mois sur le développement d’un nouveau projet, celui de Phalaborwa en Afrique du Sud où l’entrée en service est prévue pour 2026.

Sans la contribution de la mine burundaise de Gakara, la production africaine de terres rares est aujourd’hui nulle. Toutefois, les prévisions de Benchmark Mineral Intelligence pourraient se réaliser si les projets en cours sur le continent se concrétisent selon les calendriers prévus.

Au Malawi, Lindian prévoit de produire ses premières tonnes de terres rares à Kangankunde en 2025. En Ouganda, Ionic Rare Earths table sur 2026 pour l’entrée en service de sa mine Makuutu qui héberge selon les dernières estimations datant de mai dernier 126 000 tonnes d’oxydes de terres rares, dont 86 000 tonnes de néodyme et de praséodyme. En Tanzanie, Peak Rare Earths fait des progrès constants sur son projet Ngualla capable de livrer annuellement 16 200 tonnes de concentré de terres rares sur une durée de vie de 24 ans.

En Angola, Pensana a dévoilé, fin octobre 2023, une étude actualisée qui estime à 200 millions de dollars le capital nécessaire au développement de sa mine Longonjo qui devrait livrer annuellement 38 000 tonnes par an de sulfate de terres rares mixtes. Selon la base de données des projets miniers africains d’Ecofin Pro, la plateforme d’Ecofin destinée aux professionnels, d’autres pays comme le Mozambique (Monte Muambe), ou la Namibie (Lofdal) sont également bien positionnés pour rejoindre le cercle des producteurs.

Les terres rares sont un groupe de 17 métaux dont certains sont très demandés dans l’industrie automobile, la Défense, le secteur de l’énergie éolienne ou encore l’électronique. La Chine domine le marché avec plus de 70 % de l’offre mondiale selon plusieurs sources concordantes, une domination qui inquiète les pays occidentaux.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/terres-rar ... d-ici-2029

[energy_isere]

Nouvelle grosse ressource de terres rares identifiée au Brésil :

Resouro touts rare earths resources at Tiros project in Brazil

Staff Writer | July 18, 2024

Resouro Strategic Metals, one of the newest companies to tap into the Brazilian rare earths market, has published a maiden near-two-billion-tonne resource estimate for its Tiros titanium and rare earth elements project in the country’s Minas Gerais state.

The resource estimate sits at 1.7 billion tonnes grading 3,900 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO), containing 1,100ppm magnet rare earth oxides, and 12% titanium dioxide.

The Canadian junior, which kicked off trading on the ASX in June, said the estimate included a high-grade section of 120 million tonnes at 9,000ppm TREO, containing 2400ppm MRE and 23% titanium.

Tiros measured and indicated portions of the resource comprise one billion tonnes at 4050ppm TREO containing 1120ppm MREO and 12% titanium.

According to Resouro, the figures place the Tiros project as “one of the largest undeveloped titanium and rare earth resources globally.”

“We consider that the average resource grades of 3900 ppm TREO 1100 ppm MREO and 12% of TiO2 are well above average for this style of deposit,” RAU chief executive Chris Eager said in a statement.

“We have defined a very substantial resource over just 7% of the land area of the project,” he noted.
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https://www.mining.com/resouro-touts-ra ... in-brazil/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 3 mars 2024 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 2#p2390542

Terres rares : financement chinois obtenu pour une nouvelle mine africaine (Ngualla)

Agence Ecofin 24 juillet 2024

Plusieurs projets africains de terres rares ont émergé ces dernières années et devraient bientôt entrer en production, permettant au continent d’assurer 9 % de l’offre mondiale d’ici 2029. La Chine qui domine déjà l’approvisionnement mondial, sécurise également une partie de cette future production.

Le chinois Shenghe Resources va acquérir une participation de 50 % dans la société locale qui détient 84 % d’intérêts dans le projet de terres rares Ngualla en Tanzanie. C’est l’annonce faite le 24 juillet par l’australien Peak Rare Earths, propriétaire de ladite société, ajoutant qu’il cède 50 % de sa participation contre un financement de 96 millions de dollars australiens (63 millions $).

Ce financement permettra de développer la mine de terres rares Ngualla et devrait être mis à disposition par Shenghe par le biais d’une facilité de crédit. L’investissement de Shenghe, plus grand importateur de concentré de terres rares en Chine, est soumis à diverses approbations, notamment celles des autorités chinoises et des actionnaires des deux compagnies, ainsi qu’à une décision finale d’investissement. Cette décision devrait être prise d’ici le 31 décembre 2024, précise le communiqué de Peak.

« Grâce au soutien de nos partenaires, de Shenghe et du gouvernement tanzanien, le projet Ngualla est en passe de devenir la prochaine exploitation de terres rares au monde. Il est important de noter que le projet Ngualla bénéficiera d’une solution entièrement financée, ce qui évitera aux actionnaires de Peak d’avoir à fournir d’autres fonds propres », a déclaré Russell Scrimshaw, président exécutif de Peak.

Avant cette annonce, Peak avait en effet conclu un accord avec cinq institutions financières africaines afin de mobiliser un prêt de 176,6 millions $ pour le projet Ngualla. Notons que le capital initial pour construire la mine est estimé à 287 millions $.

Pour rappel, la Chine domine déjà l’approvisionnement mondial en terres rares, mais les sociétés chinoises ont aussi investi ces dernières années dans plusieurs projets en dehors de leur pays. Le projet Ngualla est l’un des exemples de l’intérêt chinois pour le potentiel africain en terres rares, puisque Shenghe Resources détient déjà une participation de 19,9 % dans Peak. D’autres pays s’intéressent aussi à ce potentiel africain, notamment ceux de l’Union européenne, alors que l’UE cherche à réduire sa dépendance envers la Chine pour les terres rares.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/investisse ... -africaine

[energy_isere]

Solvay to supply Europe with rare earth metals to reduce reliance on China

Reuters | July 31, 2024

Belgian chemicals group Solvay aims to supply Europe with rare earth metals for permanent magnets used in EVs and wind turbines from its refurbished plant in France, to help the continent reduce reliance on China, the company said.

The group confirmed regular production at the plant in La Rochelle should start in early 2025 and said it aimed to meet 30% of Europe’s needs for permanent magnets by 2030.

It is the only facility in Europe able to process light and heavy rare earth materials at an industrial level.

Solvay supports a strategic shift for Europe to start producing permanent magnets instead of importing them from China, group CEO Philippe Kehren told Reuters during a call, adding that, in Europe, demand was expected to triple by 2035.

“The goal is to supply all of Europe with rare earth metals made in La Rochelle,” he said.

Solvay confirmed discussions with Europe’s main car manufacturers and turbine makers to secure support from the entire value chain.

The company is also in advanced discussions with the French government for support, Kehren said, without elaborating.

Under a new EU law which came into force in May, the bloc aims to secure its self sufficiency for vital materials that are currently dominated by supplies from China. It has set targets to mine 10% of its annual critical minerals needs, to recycle 25% and process 40% domestically by the end of the decade.

It has also said that no more than 65% of rare earth supplies should be provided by one country. China is currently estimated to supply around 95% of the EU’s rare earth needs.

Kehren said Solvay should benefit from this drive.

The company said it aimed to source 30% of materials for its La Rochelle plant locally, through recycling of end-of-life rare earth metals from motors in Europe, instead of sending them back to China.

The venture benefits from the existing La Rochelle factory, while a similar ongoing project in the US includes the construction of a new plant.

https://www.mining.com/web/solvay-to-su ... -on-china/

[energy_isere]

Qatar invests $180m in US-backed fund to reduce China’s dominance in critical minerals

Staff Writer | August 7, 2024 |

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has agreed to invest $180 million in TechMet, a mining investment vehicle backed by the US International Development Finance Corporation, as part of its commitment to secure a responsibly sourced supply of critical minerals.


In a press release, TechMet said the funds will be used to develop both its existing assets and to continue to build its portfolio with strategic projects that scale production and refining of its target critical minerals, which include lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths.

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Since its inception, the Dublin-based TechMet has invested more than $450 million into projects across North and South America, Europe, and Africa. These include: Brazilian Nickel, Cornish Lithium, EnergySource Minerals, US Vanadium, Trinity Metals, Xerion Advanced Battery Corp, TechMet-Mercuria, Rainbow Rare Earths, REEtec and Momentum Technologies.

This investment by Qatar Investment Authority comes as the US government intensifies its efforts to diminish China’s dominance in the critical minerals market.

As part of this initiative, the Biden administration has sought to persuade Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to invest in US-led projects aimed at extracting and processing minerals for industrial use.

Qatar is a key US ally in the Gulf and also a significant LNG supplier to China.

“There’s a recognition it can’t just be domestic [mining and processing] and it can’t just be US money,” TechMet CEO Brian Menell told the Financial Times on Wednesday.

The $180 million investment is part of a $300 million sixth funding round, advised by Rothschild, which has boosted TechMet’s valuation to over $1 billion.

“A major sovereign investor coming in alongside the US government accelerates our ability to scale and expand the portfolio and build significant value across critical minerals supply chains,” Menell said.

https://www.mining.com/qatar-invests-18 ... -minerals/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 25 juin 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 5#p2372205

LYNAS augmente foretment les ressources en terres rares à Mt Weld (Australie).

Lynas updates Mt Weld rare earths resources

5th August 2024 By: Mariaan Webb

Critical minerals miner Lynas Rare Earths has updated its Mt Weld mineral resource statement, reporting a significant increase in tonnage and contained total rare earth oxides (TREO) compared with the 2018 statement.

The Mt Weld mineral resource surged 92% from 55.4-million tonnes to 106.6-million tonnes at 4.12% TREO at June 30, 2024. Ore reserves surged 63% to 32-million tonnes at 6.44% TREO.

The total contained TREO grew by 63%, adding resources and replacing depletion.

Lynas states that the updated ore reserve supports a 20-plus year mine life at expanded production rates for sufficient concentrate feedstock to produce 12 000 t/y of neodymium praseodymium oxide finished production in line with Mt Weld’s expansion capacity.


Lynas CEO and MD Amanda Lacaze notes that the 92% increase in mineral resources and 63% increase in ore reserves between 2018 and 2024 demonstrates the capability of the company to significantly improve orebody knowledge, assure ore reserves and continuously improve reserve extraction efficiencies.

Over 84 000 m of drilling have been performed since the previous mineral resource update in 2018 and the 2024 mineral resource includes mineralised clay zones above the saprolite ore zone of up to 3% rare earth oxide.

The updated ore reserve includes a 92% increase in contained dysprosium oxide.

“Dysprosium and terbium are essential for high performance rare earth permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and essential for high-tech electronics. The increase in reserves ensures feed for the recently announced DyTb [dysprosium/terbium] separation circuit at Lynas Malaysia, supporting Lynas to serve the needs of existing customers and acquire new customers,” Lacaze added.

https://www.miningweekly.com/article/ly ... 2024-08-05