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Controlled By China, The Extraction Of These Metals Is Essential For Mining And The Production Of Renewable Technologies. Researchers Propose To Study Extinct Volcanoes Rich In Iron, Such As El Laco, In Chile.
Imagine a scenario where extinct volcanoes, forgotten over time, reveal unexplored deposits of vital minerals for the future of energy. Chinese scientists have identified that these volcanoes, particularly rich in iron, contain large amounts of rare earth elements. These elements are essential for the production of sustainable technologies, such as wind turbines and batteries for electric vehicles.
With the sector dominated by China, this new frontier of mining could revolutionize the global market and weaken the Chinese monopoly on renewable energies.
A Scientific Discovery With Geopolitical Implications: Extinct Volcanoes As An Unexplored Source Of Critical Minerals
Studies indicate that these newly discovered deposits in extinct volcanoes represent a milestone in rare earth mining. Scientists suggest that areas like the volcano El Laco, in Chile, may host abundant reserves of these critical minerals. China’s global dominance in the extraction and control of these elements may face a new challenge, driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy technologies.
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Published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters, the study reveals that certain types of magma in extinct volcanoes, rich in iron, contain high concentrations of rare earth elements. This advancement could transform the mining of these elements, currently centralized in China, and open new opportunities for the sector. The discovery points to an alternative source of these crucial metals for sustainable technologies, potentially providing market diversification.
What Are Rare Earth Elements And Their Importance In Industry And Modern Technologies
Rare earth elements are a set of 17 natural chemical elements, which appear as oxides. Despite the term “rare,” these elements are not necessarily scarce, but rather difficult to extract as they are often combined with other minerals.
Their importance for modern technologies is undeniable, being essential for electronic devices, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. With the ongoing energy transition, the demand for these elements is projected to quintuple by 2030.
Impact Of The Discovery In Chinese Territory: New Source Of Rare Earth Elements May Compromise Beijing’s Supremacy
An international team of scientists, led by Shengchao Yan from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Michael Anenburg from the Australian National University, replicated volcanic eruptions in the laboratory. Using advanced techniques, they discovered that the combination of silicate melts and iron phosphate facilitates the enrichment of rare earth elements. This suggests that iron-rich magmas may be an abundant source, especially of the lighter elements.
Yan emphasizes that rocks with high iron phosphate content that have experienced magmatic immiscibility have great potential as sources of rare earth elements. Anenburg reinforces the importance of investigating extinct volcanoes, such as El Laco, which may concentrate these minerals at significantly higher levels than conventional volcanic magmas.
Chinese Challenge To Maintain Global Lead In Critical Mineral Production
The production of rare earth elements is strategic for renewable technologies, essential in combating climate change. However, the mining of these elements is deeply rooted in the geopolitical context, with China controlling most of the global reserves. The new discovery of large deposits in extinct volcanoes offers a possibility to break the Chinese monopoly, especially in countries with similar geological structures.
This advancement opens a door for other nations to explore their local reserves, potentially reducing global dependence on Chinese supply. Such development could reshape the rare earth market, challenging China’s role as the main supplier of these vital minerals.
It is worth noting that, even with this promising discovery, China, alongside countries like Australia, which also has significant rare earth reserves, is mobilizing to strengthen its presence in the global sector.
Tiro no pé? A autora da matéria precisa de uma reciclagem urgente. Ou talvez de um curso de jornalismo. Matéria sem pé nem cabeça, linguagem enviesada, com imprecisões. Falta tudo, inclusive forma.
Às evidências dadas pela natureza nos remetem a reflexão sobre recursos existentes já conhecidos e aqueles que a natureza guarda para o benefício futuro. Por essa razão,eu não costumo me alarmar com o pessimismo da humanidade visto que muitas descobertas estão por vir.
O filme Círculo de Fogo, saiu na frente, ou será que essa técnica já não era conhecida?