SALT LAKE CITY — Minerals called rare earths have been found in coal mines in eastern Utah and western Colorado. Researchers at the University of Utah are applying for a grant from the federal government to determine if there are enough rare earth minerals worth mining.
Professor Michael Free, chair of the U of U. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, says extraction of these minerals is a multi-step process that begins with the physical separation of rare earths from other minerals.
“The next phase is a chemical extraction where chemicals are introduced that will help release the rare earth or critical metallic elements.”
Once the minerals are chemically separated, the refined metals are extracted from the chemical solution. But first researchers have to determine whether there is enough material available.
Are there enough rare earth minerals in coal mines?
“We’ve seen some samples that appear to have more than 100, maybe even 200 parts per million of these elements. In those types of cases, it could be a pretty good resource if we have enough volume,” Free said.
But there is a problem with the data they have.
“We can take some samples and say, ‘Yes, there is a lot here (in) this sample… but is that sample… representative of a very large volume of material that is there, or is it only in high concentrations and more isolated? and it turns out that we are seeing more concentrated pockets,” said Free.
Free said if geologists find there is enough material, they could use permits they already have and equipment already in the coal mines to begin the extraction process.
“Basically, you need to do a similar type of mining practice to get it out of the ground. You can use some of the same equipment. “We’ve had some mining engineers (who are) part of our team that we’ve been working with, (who are) looking at some ways to get it out safely.”
Free said the United States has not kept up with mining practices and technologies like other countries, limiting where these rare earths can be mined.
“Materials associated with coal operations (the upper and lower seams) have elevated concentrations of some of these things, but they are not the best resource to pursue. “We have other deposits of these types of materials that have higher concentrations that would be a little easier,” he said.
Related: Critical Rare Earth Minerals Found in Utah and Colorado
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