Rare Earth Elements and Other Critical Metals in Deep Seabed Mineral Deposits: Composition and Implications for Resource Potential
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Title
- Rare Earth Elements and Other Critical Metals in Deep Seabed Mineral Deposits: Composition and Implications for Resource Potential
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Author(s)
- Pak, Sang-Joon; Seo, Inah; Lee, Kyeong-Yong; Hyeong, Kiseong
- KIOST Author(s)
- Hyeong, Ki Seong(형기성)
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Alternative Author(s)
- 박상준; 서인아; 이경용; 형기성
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Publication Year
- 2019-01
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Abstract
- The critical metal contents of four types of seabed mineral resources, including a deep-sea sediment deposit, are evaluated as potential rare earth element (REE) resources. The deep-sea resources have relatively low total rare earth oxide (TREO) contents, a narrow range of TREO grades (0.049-0.185%), and show characteristics that are consistent with those of land-based ion adsorption REE deposits. The relative REO distributions of the deep-seabed resources are also consistent with those of ion adsorption REE deposits on land. REEs that are not part of a crystal lattice of host minerals within deep-sea mineral deposits are favorable for mining, as there is no requirement for crushing and/or pulverizing during ore processing. Furthermore, low concentrations of Th and U reduce the risk of adverse environmental impacts. Despite the low TREO grades of the deep-seabed mineral deposits, a significant TREO yield from polymetallic nodules and REE-bearing deep-sea sediments from the Korean tenements has been estimated (1 Mt and 8 Mt, respectively). Compared with land-based REE deposits, deep-sea mineral deposits can be considered as low-grade mineral deposits with a large tonnage. The REEs and critical metals from deep-sea mineral deposits are important by-products and co-products of the main commodities (e.g., Co and Ni), and may increase the economic feasibility of their extraction.
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ISSN
- 2075-163X
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URI
- https://sciwatch.kiost.ac.kr/handle/2020.kiost/707
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DOI
- 10.3390/min9010003
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Bibliographic Citation
- MINERALS, v.9, no.1, 2019
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Publisher
- MDPI
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Subject
- FERROMANGANESE CRUSTS; OCEAN; GEOCHEMISTRY; ENRICHMENT; SEDIMENTS; MUD
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Keywords
- seabed mineral resource; deep-sea sediment; total rare earth oxides; critical metal; relative REO distribution; low-grade and large tonnage deposit
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Type
- Article
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Language
- English
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Document Type
- Article
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