Rare Earths Mineral Deposit found in North Dakota
In recent years, the topic of Rare Earth Minerals (REEs)- Rare Earth Elements-has gained increasing attention from policymakers, industry leaders, and academics worldwide. This is primarily due to the importance of these elements in the production of high-tech products such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies. However, the global supply chain of rare earth elements is currently dominated by China, which has led to concerns over supply security and geopolitical risks. Hence, the recent discovery of a massive rare earth deposit in the United States has raised hopes for the nation’s strategic autonomy and energy independence.
On March 2, 2021, the US Geological Survey (USGS) announced the discovery of a massive rare earth deposit in the western US state of Wyoming. The deposit is estimated to contain at least 1.8 million metric tons of rare earth elements, making it one of the largest deposits in the world. The deposit is located in the Bear Lodge Mountains, about 25 miles southeast of the town of Sundance, and is called the Bull Hill Mine.
The discovery of the Bull Hill Mine is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it confirms the presence of a large-scale rare earth deposit in the US, which could potentially reduce the country’s reliance on China for REEs. Secondly, the deposit is located in a politically stable country with established legal and regulatory frameworks, which could provide greater security of supply and reduce geopolitical risks. Thirdly, the deposit is located in close proximity to existing infrastructure, which could facilitate the development of a domestic rare earth supply chain and lower production costs.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemical elements that are critical to the production of high-tech products such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies. Despite their name, rare earth elements are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust, but they are difficult to extract and refine due to their complex chemical composition and the presence of radioactive isotopes. The main challenge in the production of rare earth elements is the separation of individual elements from the ore, which is a complex and energy-intensive process that requires specialized equipment and expertise.
China currently dominates the global supply chain of rare earth elements, accounting for over 80% of global production and 90% of global processing capacity. This has led to concerns over supply security and geopolitical risks, as China has used its dominant position to exert political pressure on other countries and restrict exports in the past. For example, in 2010, China restricted exports of rare earth elements to Japan in response to a territorial dispute, which led to a surge in prices and concerns over supply disruptions.
The discovery of the Bull Hill Mine could potentially change the dynamics of the global rare earth market by providing a new source of supply outside of China. However, the development of a domestic rare earth supply chain in the US will require significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital. The US currently lacks the processing capacity to refine rare earth elements into usable products, and much of the existing infrastructure is outdated and not designed for rare earth processing. Furthermore, the US has a shortage of skilled workers in the rare earth industry, as much of the expertise has been lost due to the decline in domestic production.
To develop a domestic rare earth supply chain, the US will need to invest in new processing facilities, research and development, and workforce training. The US government has recognized the importance of rare earth elements to national security and has taken steps to promote the development of a domestic supply chain. In 2017, the US Department of Defense (DOD) commissioned a report on the domestic rare earth supply chain, which identified several critical areas for investment, including the development of new processing technologies, the establishment of a national rare earth stockpile,
The production of solar panels is one of the industries that heavily relies on rare earth elements. Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity, and these cells contain a semiconductor material that typically includes rare earth elements such as dysprosium, terbium, and neodymium. These elements are crucial for improving the efficiency and performance of solar cells, as they enable the cells to absorb and convert sunlight more effectively.
The importance of rare earth elements in solar panel production has led to concerns over supply security and cost volatility. In recent years, the demand for solar panels has increased significantly, driven by the growing need for clean energy and the declining costs of solar technology. However, the reliance on rare earth elements in solar panel production has also led to concerns over the potential for supply disruptions and price spikes, which could undermine the growth of the solar industry and hinder the transition to clean energy.
The discovery of the Bull Hill Mine in the US could potentially alleviate these concerns by providing a new source of rare earth elements for solar panel production. The proximity of the deposit to existing infrastructure could also help to lower production costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the supply chain. However, the development of a domestic rare earth supply chain for solar panel production will require significant investments in technology and infrastructure, as well as workforce training and development.
The US government has recognized the importance of rare earth elements to the solar industry and has taken steps to promote their domestic production. In 2018, the US Department of Energy (DOE) launched a $20 million research initiative to develop new technologies for the extraction, separation, and processing of rare earth elements from coal and coal byproducts. The DOE also announced a $30 million funding opportunity for research and development of advanced materials for energy production, which includes the development of rare earth-free alternatives for solar panel production.
The development of rare earth-free alternatives for solar panel production is also an area of active research and development. Several companies and research institutions are exploring the use of non-rare earth materials, such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), to replace the rare earth materials in solar cells. These alternatives have the potential to reduce the reliance on rare earth elements and lower the production costs of solar panels, while also improving the sustainability and environmental impact of the supply chain.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Bull Hill Mine in the US is a significant development for the global rare earth market and has the potential to reduce the reliance on China for rare earth elements. The development of a domestic rare earth supply chain could also provide a new source of rare earth elements for the solar industry, which is critical for the transition to clean energy. However, the development of a domestic supply chain will require significant investments in technology, infrastructure, and workforce training, as well as the development of rare earth-free alternatives for solar panel production. The US government and industry stakeholders will need to work together to address these challenges and ensure the sustainable and secure supply of rare earth elements for the solar industry and other high-tech industries.
Rare earth elements are also critical for the production of electric and hybrid vehicles, which rely on permanent magnets made from neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium to power their electric motors. The use of rare earth magnets in electric vehicles improves their energy efficiency, performance, and range, making them a more viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. However, the high cost and limited supply of rare earth elements have been a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
The discovery of the Bull Hill Mine in the US could potentially reduce the cost of producing electric and hybrid vehicles by providing a new source of rare earth elements for permanent magnet production. This could help to lower the overall cost of electric vehicles and make them more affordable for consumers. The availability of a domestic rare earth supply chain could also reduce the reliance on imports from China, which currently produces more than 80% of the world’s rare earth elements.
In addition to electric vehicles, rare earth elements are also critical for the production of solar-powered cars. Solar-powered cars use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, and these cells contain rare earth materials such as terbium, europium, and yttrium. The use of rare earth materials in solar cells improves their energy efficiency and performance, enabling solar-powered cars to travel longer distances on a single charge.
The development of a domestic rare earth supply chain for solar panel production could also benefit the production of solar-powered cars by providing a more secure and reliable source of rare earth materials. This could help to lower the production costs of solar-powered cars and make them more competitive with traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Moreover, rare earth-free alternatives for permanent magnets and solar cells are also being developed, which could further reduce the cost of production and improve the sustainability of the supply chain. For example, researchers are exploring the use of iron-based magnets as a substitute for neodymium magnets, and non-rare earth materials such as copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) as a substitute for rare earth materials in solar cells.
The discovery of the Bull Hill Mine in the US could have a significant impact on the production of electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as solar-powered cars. The development of a domestic rare earth supply chain could help to reduce the cost of production and improve the competitiveness of these technologies. The use of rare earth-free alternatives could also help to reduce the reliance on rare earth materials and improve the sustainability of the supply chain. Overall, the development of a secure and reliable supply of rare earth elements is critical for the growth of the high-tech industry and the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.
