Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical to modern technology and are found in everything from smartphones and flat-screen TVs to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies like wind turbines. The demand for these vital elements is skyrocketing, especially with the global push for clean energy.
New research from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences suggests a novel way to source these in-demand metals: from iron-rich magma entombed inside extinct volcanoes.
The research highlights the potential of iron-rich volcanic rocks, which solidified in extinct volcanoes millions of years ago, as a new source of REEs. According to Dr. Michael Anenburg from ANU, this mysterious magma is up to a hundred times more efficient at concentrating REEs than the magma typically found in active volcanoes.
The implications of this discovery are significant. These iron-rich volcanic rocks could be studied for their REE content, offering a new avenue for sourcing the metals critical to developing green technologies. The researchers simulated volcanic eruptions in the lab, heating rocks sourced from iron-rich extinct volcanoes to extremely high temperatures. This process allowed them to identify the abundance of REEs within these iron-rich rocks.
With countries worldwide investing heavily in renewable energy, the demand for REEs is projected to increase fivefold by 2030. These elements are essential for manufacturing the technologies to transition to a low-carbon future. REEs are used to produce electric vehicle batteries, magnets for wind turbines, and other clean energy technologies. The global push for greener solutions is making REEs more valuable than ever.
While REEs are not necessarily rare—they are as common as lead or copper—the challenge lies in extracting them from the minerals in which they are found. This complex and expensive process makes sourcing new deposits crucial for meeting growing demand.
The discovery of REE-rich iron magma entombed within extinct volcanoes opens up new possibilities for exploration. Countries that house these ancient geological formations, such as Chile with its El Laco volcano, could become key players in the global supply of REEs. Additionally, countries like Australia, which already has significant REE deposits at Mount Weld in Western Australia, could further capitalize on their natural resources to become leaders in clean energy technologies.
Australia, in particular, stands to benefit from this discovery. According to Dr. Anenburg, the country has world-class REE deposits, and this new research could help Australia position itself as a major supplier of the metals needed for renewable energy technologies.
With an abundance of untapped REE resources, Australia has the potential to play a leading role in the global clean energy transition.
