Green Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE) to Diminish Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Footprint

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are key ingredient of modern technologies, advanced medical applications, military defense system and emerging green and clean energy technologies due to their unique magnetic, phosphorescent and catalytic properties. On the other hand, severe environmental problems like radioactive emission, soil erosion, soil and water contamination, flooding, air pollution, change of biodiversity and as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint due to use of huge organic chemicals during processing of REE ore to form elemental rare earth metal are associated with starting from mining, processing to waste management and disposal of tailings. Global demand of REE is increasing continuously but global REE resource is limited. To sustain global REE production and to achieve sustainable development in mining and processing steps for REE, “green mining” approach is absolute necessary. Apart from direct mining of its own ore, various other sources of REE like phosphorites, ion-adsorption clays, coal-by-products, and fly ash are already tested to avoid environmental threat related to conventional REE extraction steps and found suitable to meet a proportion of nation wise REE demand. REE recycling techniques from end-of-life products and technologies to minimize amount of REE need per device are also serious concern to diminish greenhouse gas footprint.