US Extracts Rare Earths From Coal Mine Wastewater

In a breakthrough for the US rare earths industry, a pilot programme in West Virginia has successfully extracted rare earths from coal mine wastewater. The programme, developed with public financing, collects runoff at a retired coal mine in Mount Storm and treats the acidic wastewater in a small hillside plant. The extraction process involves passing the wastewater through three separate pools to eliminate pollutants and extract the rare earths in concentrated form.

The US has only one rare earths mine, located in Mountain Pass, California, which primarily yields 'light' elements. However, the country is largely dependent on external sources for 'heavy' rare earths, which are more difficult to mine and more highly desirable. China currently dominates the rare earths market, both in terms of production and refining, which is seen as a strategic threat by Washington.

The extraction process not only helps in recovering rare earths but also in cleaning up the environment. The treated water is nearly turquoise when discharged back into nature, indicating a significant reduction in pollutants. According to Lance Lin, director of the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative, the extraction process achieves two purposes: environment clean-up and recovering rare earths as a valuable byproduct.

Mark Gavin, the vice-provost of West Virginia University (WVU), stated that the US has started to make inroads on the midstream and downstream portions of the rare earths industry, but lacks a domestic front-end feedstock. The discovery of rare earths in coal mine wastewater, made about 10 years ago by university researchers, has provided a new opportunity for the US to develop a domestic supply chain.

## Why it matters The extraction of rare earths from coal mine wastewater has significant implications for the US rare earths industry. Rare earths are highly coveted minerals needed for many high-tech products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. The limited resource is one of the key challenges in the rivalry between the US and China. By reducing its dependence on China, the US can improve its position in the rare earths market and enhance its national security.

The success of the pilot programme in West Virginia could pave the way for similar initiatives across the US. As the demand for rare earths continues to grow, the development of a domestic supply chain will be crucial for the US to remain competitive in the global market. With its potential to both clean up the environment and recover valuable rare earths, this innovative approach could be a game-changer for the US rare earths industry.