Reviewed by Lexie CornerJan 9 2025
A team of researchers from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Professors Jianxi Zhu and Hongping He, has developed an electrokinetic mining (EKM) technology for sustainable rare earth element (REE) extraction. Their findings were published in Nature Sustainability.
Over 90 % of the global demand for heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) is met by ion-adsorption rare earth deposits (IADs), the primary sources of HREEs. However, the conventional in-situ mining methods, which rely on ammonium and salts, have caused significant environmental damage.
To address these challenges, the team proposed EKM in 2023 as a sustainable alternative for efficient REE extraction. This approach enables rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly REE recovery.
Preliminary tests demonstrated the feasibility of EKM, but industrial-scale implementation posed challenges, including electrode stability in corrosive environments, the risk of leachate leakage, and the complex interactions of ore structure and groundwater with REE recovery processes.
The researchers developed innovative solutions such as intermittent power alternation, high-voltage blocking techniques, and conductive plastic electrodes. These advancements reduced energy consumption by 60 %, mining duration by 70 %, and leaching agent usage by 80 %. After 60 days of industrial-scale testing, the EKM technology achieved a REE recovery rate exceeding 95 %.
Environmental monitoring confirmed a 95 % reduction in ammonia-nitrogen emissions in surface and groundwater, significantly mitigating the environmental impact of REE mining.
The researchers emphasized the potential of EKM technology for industrial applications, citing substantial benefits in cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The study provides a foundation for sustainable resource utilization, offering technical support for large-scale, environmentally friendly mining of IADs.
This work was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of CAS, the Guangdong Major Program of Basic and Applied Research, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Journal Reference:
Wang, G., et al. (2025) Industrial-scale sustainable rare earth mining enabled by electrokinetics. Nature Sustainability. doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01501-9.