Critical Minerals
Critical minerals exploration, extraction, processing and use is undergoing major changes. This is not just a function of evolving use related to an energy transition and efforts to downshift hydrocarbon combustion. It is also due to an onslaught of new technologies, allowing experimentation with new ways to mine and to optimise resource extraction - while at the same time minimising environmental and social impacts.
The REE-U-Th association
A major subject of review for Paetoro in 2023 is the distribution of rare earth element resource in three particular regions
Paetoro is working with experts in South Africa to understand how new thermal plasma processing of rare earth elements might racially improve the environmental impact of extracting these resources.
A by-product of REE processing is often uranium and thorium resource, so Paetoro is also working with nuclear industry experts to understand likely long-term developments in future uranium and thorium markets, including the impacts of new molten salt reactors and their impact on new avenues for nuclear waste reprocessing.
Understanding where resource, market, and optimal locations for processing co-exist is a key aspect of the research.
Transition engineering and mining
Paetoro is also looking hard at new efforts to mine efficiently, sustainably, and at different smaller scales. This includes ways in which demand can be addressed, mine electrification, deep mining, and advances in onshore geophysical remote sensing, and paths for minerals recycling, particularly rare earth elements.
A major subject of review for Paetoro in 2023 is the distribution of rare earth element resource in three particular regions
- The montane belts of Central Asia, from Turkey to Mongolia
- Initial efforts relating to Turkey are illustrated on the REE-U-Th Turkey page
- The Andean chain of South America
- North & Northeast Africa.
Paetoro is working with experts in South Africa to understand how new thermal plasma processing of rare earth elements might racially improve the environmental impact of extracting these resources.
A by-product of REE processing is often uranium and thorium resource, so Paetoro is also working with nuclear industry experts to understand likely long-term developments in future uranium and thorium markets, including the impacts of new molten salt reactors and their impact on new avenues for nuclear waste reprocessing.
Understanding where resource, market, and optimal locations for processing co-exist is a key aspect of the research.
Transition engineering and mining
Paetoro is also looking hard at new efforts to mine efficiently, sustainably, and at different smaller scales. This includes ways in which demand can be addressed, mine electrification, deep mining, and advances in onshore geophysical remote sensing, and paths for minerals recycling, particularly rare earth elements.