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science1d ago
Almost $100 Billion in Rare Earth Elements Could Be Lying Beneath the US
- A new analysis estimates up to $97 billion in rare earth elements could be recovered from US coal ash.
- Combining all REEs, the economic value could reach about $165 billion, with recoverable portion around $97 billion.
- Experts say extraction from coal ash could be less invasive than traditional mining, aiding environmental goals.
- Coal ash contains significantly higher REE concentrations than unburnt coal, prompting renewed recovery interest.
- US reliance on foreign REEs, especially from China, drives interest in domestic coal-ash sources.
- Researchers note coal-ash REE extraction is in early stages and requires scalable technology.
- Other unconventional REE sources include volcanic deposits and phytomining, expanding exploration beyond coal ash.
- Coal-ash REE research could help reduce environmental liabilities of unlined landfills and ponds.
- The study emphasizes taking US coal ash data over decades to assess recoverable REEs.
- Industry stakeholders see coal-ash REE recovery as a path to domestic tech supply resilience.
- Study referenced by Indian Defence Review highlights practical recovery potential amid ongoing research.
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