Rare Earth Materials
Capabilities
Consultation
Each deposit possesses a unique mineral composition. Rare earth elements exhibit distinct values and varying levels of abundance. Leveraging our profound expertise in processes and financial analysis allows us to conduct comprehensive technical and financial due diligence assessments.
Development and Design of Processes
In the contemporary landscape, optimal process design and implementation strategies are essential to leverage innovative practices effectively. These methods should be founded on a comprehensive comprehension of the ore body and should be proficient in delivering value across the entirety of the project life cycle. Our team of engineers stands at the vanguard of advancements in mining, concentration, process engineering, testwork, and pilot plants. With expertise in equipment design and specification, we consistently deliver excellence to each project we undertake.
Research and engineering solutions
We collaborate closely with our clients, merging their insights and expertise with our own at the project's inception. Thorough research is conducted to ensure the validity of technical choices and designs. Additionally, we leverage the knowledge and skills of our global specialists when necessary.
Designing Plants
Plants with lower capital costs, specifically those under $600 million, present unique challenges. Our expertise lies in designing plants within this "sub-billion-dollar" range. Central to this design capability are meticulous 3D layouts and the selection of suitable construction materials. The quality classification of the facility is established at the project's inception, with a consistent emphasis on cost management throughout the design and construction phases.
Support Services for Processes
We offer comprehensive economic analyses, industry networking, and meticulous planning and implementation of laboratory and pilot-plant testwork to validate the process flow sheet. Our environmental services play a crucial role in structuring the project timeline by incorporating permitting durations into the initial project development stages. Effective management of tailings disposal, essential project infrastructure, and logistics for reagent supply are vital components for the success of new projects.
Reviewing Safety Measures
Chemical plants in the Rare Earth Elements (REE) industry utilize hazardous and flammable chemical reagents, often operated at elevated temperatures. Prioritizing health, safety, environmental impact, and community welfare are fundamental facets of the design process. Our focus is on crafting safety-centric designs that align with your operational capacities.
Commissioning
Our proficient global teams oversee the commissioning of plants and streamline operational processes. Regardless of your location, we possess the capability to swiftly transition your operations towards production.
Industry challenges
Rare Earth Industry Challenges
Processing rare earth ores to yield valuable products poses significant challenges. Over the past decade, the establishment of a single new mine/chemical plant dedicated to rare earth elements (REE) stands out, despite the robust industry compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. Notably, the CAGR for rare earths crucial in renewable energy, such as Nd/Pr, exceeds this at 8%. A prominent player, Australian processor Lynas, operates the high-grade Mount Weld mine, processing a concentrate in Malaysia to extract the REEs essential in various technologies. The success of this operation holds considerable investor interest, as it continues to scale up.
Rare earth elements play a pivotal role in modern technology, automotives ( EV), powering medical devices, defense systems, and sustainable energy solutions. Industries heavily rely on REEs for manufacturing high-strength magnets, catalyzers, electronic displays, and more. The surge in demand for green energy has spotlighted the significance of rare earths, particularly Nd/Pr for magnets in electric vehicle propulsion and wind turbine electricity generation.
Although rare earths are commonly found in intricate geological formations alongside various other ores, their extraction and processing pose formidable challenges due to their complex nature. Global production of rare earth oxides (REO) stands at approximately 150,000 tonnes per annum. Current rare earth processing methods involve sophisticated flowsheets and intricate extraction and purification techniques, necessitating novel approaches that are often intricate to implement successfully.
The cost of processing rare earth elements is notably high, leading many projects to stall due to insufficient funding from cautious investors or financial backers. Securing capital for such ventures proves especially arduous for newcomers to the market.
Furthermore, the extraction and refinement processes can generate hazardous chemical by-products and radioactive residues. Consequently, initiatives involving the extraction and purification of REEs demand a high level of proficiency in safe chemical processing and effective management of environmental risks.