Assessing advanced rare earth element-bearing deposits for industrial demand in the EU

Author(s)
Erika Faigen
Abstract

This article examines proposed REE-product volume supply from six advanced rare earth-bearing mineral exploration projects, two of which in Greenland, for REE demand by industrial users in the EU. A methodology is developed which draws on supply chains and published feasibility studies, emphasizing timely data certainty as significant factor of exploration project feasibility. For 2014, our findings for the Greenlandic project exploration proposals reveal that Kvanefjeld would significantly exceed EU demand except for Eu, on which it would undersupply. In contrast, Kringlerne would undersupply on La, Ce and Pr, oversupply on Nd and Y, and on all heavy REE with the exception of Eu. Various disparities between the proposed REE supply from Australian, Canadian and South African projects and EU demand in 2014 are also noted.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
Journal
Resources Policy
Volume
49
Pages
186-203
No. of pages
18
ISSN
0301-4207
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2016.05.004
Publication date
09-2016
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507026 Economic geography
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Economics and Econometrics, Law, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Sociology and Political Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/cf99ef8d-d4b0-4670-a1f3-1f226495b509