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| rare earth oxides © Peggy Greb / \u200b\u200bARS / USDA |
high-tech commodities as scarce
They are called neodymium, promethium and terbium, or are considered "fuel of the modern age": without this rare earth was our high-tech world of lasers, flat panel displays, electric motors or LEDs unthinkable. But now the important raw materials are scarce, industry raises the alarm.
Rare earth for a long time almost only fit a "wallflower existence." Only in recent years they have become one of the most coveted commodity groups worldwide - and one of the most expensive. The culprit is also China, the mining of rare earth today has almost a monopoly and controlled the trade in the metals will.
are by increasing exports and increasing export duties, a total of 17 rare earth metals has become a scarce commodity, supply shortages threaten. Politics and business see far as commodities in danger and fear loss of production or dramatic increases in high-tech products.
But where do you find rare earths? What makes it so unique? In which sectors are they used? And more importantly: (How) you can get the current commodity crisis under control and free themselves from dependence on China? Answers to these and many other questions about the rare earths can be found on the following pages.
Rare earths are "in"
From the star Nobody
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| wind turbine © DOE |
guarantor of the modern high-tech world
Today, however, these elements are all the rage. Although less under their individual names rather than cryptic under the collective term "rare earth". Because no matter whether plasma televisions, laser, particle filter, or "smart" bombs: hardly a high tech product is now do without rare earths.
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| lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium © Tomihahndorf / GFDL |
Rare Earth: A term than sham
But what exactly are rare earth? And where they are degraded? If one tries to give an answer to these questions quickly became clear that the name Rare Earth actually a "sham" is. Because these are neither rare - precious metals like gold and silver in the earth's crust to find much less - it goes to different types of soil.
"The term rare earth is actually misleading, because it is still the time of the discovery of these elements. It is based on the fact that they were first found in rare minerals and from those in the form of their oxides (formerly, earth ') isolated ", the portal commodity world states on its website.
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| terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium © Tomihahndorf / GFDL |
belong to the group of rare earths total of 17 different metals, which usually occur together in ore deposits around the world. Earth scientists distinguish between so-called light rare earths such as cerium, lanthanum, neodymium or praseodymium and heavy rare earths. These include yttrium, terbium, dysprosium and europium. While the former usually exist in large amounts in the deposits, the heavy rare earths are often only in minimal concentrations to find it.
addition, occur in ores such as monazite and bastnaesite addition to the rare earth elements in the rule, radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. This versatile and well sought after and controversial "raw mix" can only be mined as a general rule. Were the rare earths used often only a waste product in the promotion of iron or other metals, they have that raw materials now long since outstripped.
"Chinese era
worldwide leader in the promotion and export of rare earth for some time, China. About 97 percent of the raw materials are currently produced in China, the "puny" Rest comes according to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) from Russia, the United States and India. But this "Chinese era" lasts not so long. It was first rung in the mid-1990s ...
all "Made in China"
near-monopoly in 20 years
41 ° 46 'North, 109 ° 58' East: The autonomous region of Inner Mongolia of the People's Republic of China. While this used to be the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan mischief, there is now a lively metropolis of Baotou. Just a few miles from the center of the city away we come to the Bayan Obo mine, one of the largest mines in the world. Bayan Obo is not just any ore deposit, the mine has for some years, the heart of the rare earth production in China - and also worldwide.
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| rare earth ore © USGS / Mineral Information Institute / U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources |
than half of the global promotion of neodymium, lanthanum & Co was born, according to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) 2010 from Bayan Obo. In the 570-1000 million year old rocks from the era of the Upper Proterozoic store up to 35 million tonnes of rare earths. By comparison, last year around the world just about 130,000 tons were mined from rare earths.
But Bayan Obo in China is by no means the only rare earth deposits. In many other provinces of the country the world's coveted and expensive raw materials are brought on a large scale from the ground. A large proportion of the rare heavy rare earth originates from southern China, where there is next to some large state-owned factories, many illegal operations. For the latter, latest information of BGR almost half of world supply comes from heavy rare earths.
World Map of the rare earth
So far so good. But why China is almost monopoly holders in the promotion and export of rare earths? Concentrated in its Borders all the deposits of these raw materials? A look at the world map of the rare earths present a different picture. After that, China does have about 38 percent of the reserves, most of the rest is found in other regions. These include the states of the former Soviet Union are at 19 percent, with 13 percent of the U.S., Australia and India with five and three percent.
But if the raw material distribution, which is then responsible for the fact that China is now the only serious global player in terms of rare earth? Two reasons were decisive in the opinion of experts for the triumph of Chinese commodities in the last 20 years: price-dumping and serious Environmental problems during the extraction and processing of rare earths.
This meant that low-wage China due to lower personnel and production costs and lack of environmental conditions, the cheaper raw materials from the early 1990s, and much richer offer than its competitors. It flooded with its rare earth even really the world market. The mine operators in the country of the then market leader, U.S. and other countries had left behind.
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| Greater Baotou © NASA / World Wind |
addition, there was: "The removal of rare earths fall in mining very large amounts of residues containing toxic waste. These are used in artificial ponds, surrounded by a dam deposited. A dam break through [...] can lead to destructive environmental effects with specific emissions of thorium, uranium, heavy metals, acids and fluorides. In addition, include most rare earth deposits of radioactive materials hazards such as leakage of radioactivity into the air or water path hold "describes the Öko-Institut some of the main threats posed by rare earth mining.
Why not leave the "dirty work" and the environmental problems of the Chinese? And instead prefer to buy raw materials from the Middle Kingdom all at low prices? This thought of so many politicians, entrepreneurs and business leaders in developed countries and was fully in China's rare earth. Therefore concluded that almost all were not profitable operating mines in the U.S., Japan or Australia was matching them. This "Put on a single card" went fine, until China began the rest of the world to put the screws ...
China "hoarding" rare earth
industrialized countries concerned about lack of raw materials
"The Middle East has its oil, we got the rare earth": This comparison comes from the long-standing chairman of the Communist Party of China, Deng Xiaoping. Although he is already almost 20 years old, is the explosive that is in it only in recent years really significant.
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| rare earth oxides © Peggy Greb / \u200b\u200bARS / USDA |
value in their own country to keep
an important role in the new strategy is playing well but also that China wants to strip off his image as a simple supplier of raw materials and capture the market for high technology increases with their own products. "China's industrial policy restrictions motivated. The country tries to keep value in their own country, "said for even the former chief executive of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Werner Schnappauf in October 2010 in the world.
The ever-decreasing export quotas and rapidly increasing export tariffs on raw materials "Made in China" have now led to the rare earths are much sought after as rare as ever. Result, the supply situation is critical also in Germany. Predicted that soon could include up to seven elements - dysprosium, europium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, yttrium - no longer in place and sufficient be.
"are Rare Earth for the German economy at least as important as petroleum and minerals," says the president of the Association of Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (Bitkom), August-Wilhelm Scheer. "The artificial shortage of strong price increases and supply shortages . requested devices cause "
prices continue to rise
And one thing the raw material bunkers has led the Chinese:" From 2005 to mid 2008, prices for almost all rare earth elements are strong, even for terbium very strong increase " Harald Elsner noted by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources In a study in April 2011. After a brief settling price by the economic crisis, the trend continued later, according to Elsner.
"From 3 Quarter of 2009 has established a renewed sharp price increase, which is still continuing unabated and even accelerated. Since the beginning of 2011 prices for all heavy rare earth dizzying heights reached, one end of this flight is not in sight. "For example, cost per kilogram of neodymium, which comes in such as wind turbines used in early May 2011 283 U.S. dollar instead of 42 dollars as a year ago. Similarly, it also sees the need for rockets and permanent magnets From samarium. Here, prices have even nearly eightfold.
The hype continues
addition to this, the hype will increase the rare earth in the next few years, probably even more dramatic. About saving bulbs by the growing sales of high-tech products like cell phones, lasers, LEDs or energy and the development of new applications. This could already by 2012 the demand for rare earths, according to a BGR study about half of today grow 130,000 tonnes to 190,000 tonnes. Market value of two billion U.S. dollars - at least. But where should the additional necessary rare earth come? China has already turned down.
new mines need the world
The search for alternatives to imports from China
17th June 2010, Brussels. The EU Commission, with a message of excitement among the general public: According to a report by a specially appointed group of experts Europe face a serious shortage of raw materials.
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| germanium © Gibe / GFDL |
German resource agency founded
To prevent the threat of bottlenecks and to provide security for the industry, as a result of activities are discussed and implemented. Sun founded the Federal Minister Rainer Brüderle in October 2010 when he visited the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the German commodities agency. It should, inter alia, the economic Issues of availability and current market developments, and on sustainable use of raw materials support.
EU as a rare earth producer?
It will start in February 2011 but also a European commodity strategy presented, which provides, for example, removing rare earths in Europe to promote heavily. "We want to see the potential," said EU Industry Commissioner Tajani.
About seven percent of global reserves will be available in the EU, including Britain, Greenland and even in Germany. Near the small town in Saxony, there is a joke Stork Deposit, which should contain, according to earth scientists may more than 41,000 tons of rare earths. A recovery is there at present but still not even begin to predict.
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| Mountain Pass Mine © AlanM1 / CC BY 3.0 |
However, not only in the EU and in Russia, the USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries around the world is currently desperately trying new rare earth mines from the ground to stamp - To activate or abandoned. For example, in the state of California, the Mountain Pass mine with investments of around half a billion dollars put back into shape. It should perhaps around 18,000 tons from 2012 Rare earth oxides (SEO) supply.
failures, bad luck and mishaps
Many projects, few hope
About 270 rare earths (RE) projects worldwide are currently being planned or under construction. Whether this will provide all but eventually large amounts of terbium, yttrium or lanthanum, is still more than unclear.
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| terbium © http://images-of-elements.com / CC BY 1.0 |
From hope to the problem case
How quickly can be a beacon of hope is a problem case, most recently an Australian project has demonstrated. In the State of Western Australia should be in the Mount Weld mine actually still in 2011 to begin the dismantling of the total 1.4 million tonnes of rare earths. But now threatens the already suffering financial problems at Lynas owners - even temporarily was the entry of Chinese investors in conversation - a severe setback.
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| Kuantan Beach © Paulwee / CC BY 1.0 |
Six months behind schedule?
Raja Dato Abdul Aziz bin Raja Adnan, Director General of the Malaysian voltaic Atomic Energy Control Board said in May 2011 that the Lynas Corporation, the Panel has asked for additional documents before the application can be accepted for a certificate. To consider the application it will take six months, Raja Adnan. Lynas could not bring raw material into the plant, not before the permit was issued.
background of the decision are probably attributable to the massive protests by opponents of the project in Malaysia. They fear the new factory in which a similar ecological and humanitarian disaster as it was 20 years. At that time, Mitsubishi in a remote area of \u200b\u200bthe country also for years a Rare earth-operated refinery, which produced vast quantities of radioactive waste. The result: contaminated soil, water Remove contaminated and affected, inter alia, unusually high number of cancer cases in the region. The cleaning and decontamination measures on the ground are not yet finalized.
But why should the rare earth factory will be built at all in Malaysia and not directly in Australia? Then one could yet save the laborious and expensive transportation of raw materials. Lynas argues primarily with lower costs in the construction and operation of the plant in Malaysia. The real reason however is another: In Australia there is a powerful Green Party, which due to the run against environmental hazards, the project would storm and probably would have prevented its enforcement.
remains dependent on China are
Conclusion: Despite the international tour de force the removal of rare earths outside China (again) to get the ball rolling, not a resounding success at the raw materials in sight. The dependence on Chinese exports will probably remain at least a few more years there - unless you can find short-term opportunities Rare earth to recycle or replace the products.
recycling is (still) not a solution
remains dependent on China are
New or reactivated mines worldwide can only get the medium or long term a significant relaxation on the world market for rare earths. But there may be other ways or strategies to recover faster the raw material security? About recycling?
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| electrical © Volker Thies / CC-by-sa 3.0 |
is clear, that the methods for the recovery of neodymium, europium and yttrium from e-waste, if any available - are still in their infancy. Nevertheless, including Germany, the United States or Japan, intensive research on it.
The Institute has presented even in a study commissioned by the Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance in January 2011, a detailed eight-point plan for an efficient rare earth recycling.
This includes, among other things, the establishment of a European rare earth competence network "or the identification of pilot products and the development of pilot recycling plants. However, performing research projects, installing a collection and pre-treatment system and creating the necessary legal framework are then the most urgent tasks in terms of recycling.
ready system in five to ten years?
In five to ten years, the assessment of the Öko-Institut's recycling system could be operational - at least when the starting signal is given for it immediately. The advantages are obvious. Germany would in the rare-earth dependent on Chinese exports, there would at least place the secondary production in Europe. Another advantage is that the recycling would be no hazardous radioactive waste . Incurred
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| Super Pure neodymium under argon © http://images-of-elements.com / CC BY 1.0 |
commodities expert, ten percent is the maximum
He continued:" Currently the ratio in Germany of recycling of rare metals to approximately one percent estimated. Optimistic forecasts assume that they can rise in a few years up to ten percent. That means 90 percent must still be obtained as a primary material. "
Unless we succeed in replacing neodymium & Co in many products by other materials. Great hope that this is not only fast, but could also succeed on a large scale, there is currently, however.
Rhine water contaminated with rare earth
environmental problems in Germany
"Rare earth we now need to start with energy-saving lighting, catalytic converters and electric vehicles in a green future. We must, however, now make sure that they come from a sustainable production chain. Here, in addition to playing a more environmentally friendly mining the efficient production and use of rare earth an important role. Here we see the Öko-Institut is much room for optimization ": this student said Doris the Öko-Institut late January 2011.
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| Rhine at Duisburg Duisburg © |
Massive contamination of the Rhine water
scientists led by Michael and Serkan Kulaksiz construction of the Jacobs University of Bremen, there is serious water contamination by the rare Earth lanthanum revealed. As reported in the environmental magazine "Environment International" report, the measured concentrations were approximately in the region of Mainz to the 46-fold over natural levels. In the area of \u200b\u200bBonn-Leverkusen-Neuss geochemist yet to be presented at least 25 times the normal contamination.
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| lanthanum © Tomihahndorf / GFDL |
But why is this particular section of river from the contamination affected so heavily? This Question is not yet finally resolved. But there are certainly indications that lanthanum could come from where. Thus, in a Worms work on a large scale manufactures catalysts for oil refineries. Here, the rare earth is essential. The lanthanum, otherwise the world is in batteries for electric cars, fuel cells or particulate filters for use could there be therefore passes through the industrial waste water into the Rhine.
at least partially known is now, how much of lanthanum flow continuously transported in this way towards the North Sea: 1.5 tons - per year. That, at least read the first, but unconfirmed estimates of construction and Kulaksiz.
(None) Risk of Rare Earth?
But how dangerous is the lanthanum in the Rhine water for humans and nature? The first conclusion of the scientists is on this subject is rather ambiguous: "While in the Rhine water occurring Lanthanmengen are safe as health, the extremely high concentrations of up to 49 milligrams per kilogram of lanthanum, which were measured at the discharge point, above the values already observed for the ecotoxicological effects were. "
How long the passes already lanthanum into the Rhine, and whether it is already special damages caused approximately in the range of ecosystems in the Rhine region of Worms, is currently still unclear. At least as important as exploring the consequences of Lanthanverseuchung, already the source of pollution is to unambiguously identify and close ...
( Dieter Lohmann, 05/13/2011)
| Copyright (c) 1998 - 2011 Siemens Siemens Siemens Springer Verlag, Heidelberg - MMCD in interactive science, Dusseldorf |
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