The discourse surrounding the need for a net zero future has largely focused on renewable sources of energy. Mining practices do not often positively feature in these discussions. The discovery of an $8.4 Bn mine in America is about to challenge our preconceptions about environmentally conscious methods of producing energy, placing energy giants China, Russia and Ukraine in precarious waters.
From ashes to industry: the mine that is revolutionising the energy game
The mining of coal in the United States has contributed a good deal to fulfilling the daily energy needs of the average American. The decades-long extraction of valuable coal from the earth has led to the accumulation of coal ash, the residue from the burning of coal for electricity.
Coal ash has historically been dumped in landfills, ponds, or offsite storage areas. A recent study by the University of Texas at Austin has found a way to repurpose much of this dust into useful technology. Regarded as trash, these ash deposits have the potential to revolutionise the mining industry.
America’s coal ash deposits contain enough rare earth minerals to boost the country’s reserves without having to develop new mines. Estimates place the amount of rare earth minerals in coal ash deposits in America at a whopping 11 million tons – almost 8 times the amount currently in reserves.
What is the current state of global rare earth mineral deposits?
There are 17 types of rare earth minerals. These minerals are used in solar panels, batteries and magnets, among other advanced technologies. Deposits of rare earth minerals are crucial as they are used to power modern technology and devices which can aid in the reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
At present, the United States is estimated to rely mostly on imports for its rare earth minerals – 75% of which comes from China. The size of China and the ease with which they innovate (like the harnessing of rain drops for power) have made China the leading energy producer in the world.
America’s reliance on foreign imports of rare earth minerals for its technology means that it is beholden to the whims of the global market. The war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as other global trends, has destabilised markets. Such conflicts an ocean away have the potential to greatly impact America’s energy industry.
Can America assert its independence through the use of coal ash?
According to experts, the rare earth minerals that can be extracted from coal ash in America could be worth $8.4 billion. These minerals should be relatively easy to extract from the coal ash as there is no need to establish new mines to access these minerals. There is currently about 1,873 million tons of coal ash available in America.
However, the amount of minerals that can be extracted depends entirely on the coal ash itself. The coal ash found in the Appalachian Basin contains the highest volume of rare earth minerals, but these cannot be easily extracted. Only 30% of the rare earth minerals found in these coal heaps can be extracted.
The coal ash heaps found in the Powder River Basin have an extractability of 70% even though they have a lower volume of rare earth minerals than those found in the Appalachian Basin. As a result, scientists in the project decided to focus their efforts on the Powder River Basin.
A new dawn for America’s energy industry has arrived
Coal ash is still being researched for its potential to supply America with rare earth minerals, but current projections look promising. If executed, the extraction of rare earth minerals from coal ash has the potential to greatly reduce American dependence on foreign countries like China, Ukraine, and Russia. This discovery, among others in America (like this 5000 ºC magnet), has the potential to fundamentally alter global dynamics.