Critical metals are of growing economic importance for the low carbon sector but are susceptible to resource restrictions and have no viable substitutes in their applications. In this study, 134 samples of the Cornubian Batholith, SW England, with associated early Permian mafic and ultramafic rocks were sampled and analysed by ICP-MS and XRF for their major, trace and critical metal (Li, Be, Ga, Ge, Nb, Ta, In, Sb, W and Bi) abundance. The mineral chemistry of feldspars, micas, tourmaline, topaz and cordierite was determined for 8 samples by EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. The Cornubian Batholith is a peraluminous, composite pluton intruded into Devonian and Carboniferous metasedimentary and volcanic rocks. Geochemical fractionation trends recorded by whole rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry permit trace element modelling of two distinct fractional crystallisation series, biotite-muscovite (>282 Ma) and biotite-tourmaline (<282 Ma). The biotite-muscovite granites formed through muscovite and minor biotite dehydration melting of a metagreywacke source at moderate temperatures and pressures. Fractionation of an assemblage dominated by feldspars and biotite, enriched muscovite granites in Li (average 340 ppm), Be (13 ppm), Nb (16 ppm), Ta (3.7 ppm), In (77 ppb), Sn (17 ppm), W (12 ppm) and Bi (2.6 ppm) and are spatially associated with greisen style Sn-W mineralisation. Muscovite is the major host of In, Sn and W, and as muscovite is late-stage / subsolidus this implies these metals are highly incompatible in magmatic minerals and likely to partition into fluids exsolving from evolved muscovite granites. The biotite-tourmaline granites formed through higher-T melting than the first suite due to underplating of the region by mantle-derived melts during tectonic extension. Fractionation of feldspars, biotite and cordierite enriched Li (average 525 ppm), Ga (28 ppm), In (122 ppb), Sn (14 ppm), Nb (30 ppm), Ta (5.5 ppm), W (7.1 ppm) and Bi (2.7 ppm) in the tourmaline granites with retention of Be in the biotite granite due to partitioning of Be into cordierite. Distribution of Nb and Ta is controlled by accessory phases such as columbite within the evolved tourmaline granites, promoting disseminated Nb and Ta mineralisation. Lithium, In, Sn and W are hosted in biotite group micas which may prove favourable for breakdown on ingress of hydrothermal fluids and partitioning of the critical metals into mineralising fluids emanating from evolved tourmaline granites. Topaz granites are analogues of Rare Metal Granite described in France and Germany. They contain albite, polylithionite and topaz as major minerals and show differing trends on major and trace element plots relative to the other two granite series. These granites are enriched in Li (average 1363 ppm), Ga (38 ppm), Sn (21 ppm), W (24 ppm), Nb (52 ppm) and Ta (15 ppm) and formed through partial melting of a biotite-rich residue left after melting that formed early biotite granites.

Each year, millions of tons of non-ferrous scrap metal are discarded in the US. This metal is wasted due to a lack of proper recovery methods. Recent developments in spectroscopic technology have made it possible to identify the waste composition of scrap metal in real-time. This has opened the door for high-speed automated metal sortation and recovery, especially for the recovery of high value precious metals, such as titanium, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and tantalum. Automated sortation systems typically consist of three main phases: (i) Feeding of material, (ii) Composition identification, and (iii) Physical separation. Due to their low volume and industry fragmentation, high-strength precious metal chips usually come in the form of chips smaller than 10 mm. Therefore it is extremely difficult to feed metal chips individually into the sorting system. At CR3, a new feeding mechanism was invented and developed in order to provide single layer feeding of small metal chips. A laboratory-scale prototype was built and proven to be feasible, scalable and reliable. A model was developed to predict the output of feeding variables based on initial input parameters. An operation window of the process was also defined for various metal chip resources. These will be presented, reviewed and discussed in the following paper.

This scenario study focused on potential future demand of critical metals if the world strives for equitable use of technologies in the world in 2050. Smartphones and other electronics are increasing in the world and the consumption rate is high as the use-life generally are short. Technologies moving away from fossil fuels have increased in recent years and include solar cells and wind power in the energy sector and electric vehicles in the transportation sector. All these growing technologies are dependent on some specific metals. In some technological areas, the potential future use of specific metals have the risk to become critically scarce, as the use of these technologies increase. These technologies and their use of these potentially critical metals have been investigated in this scenario study, assuming equitable technology distribution in 2050. For metals which in the scenario study indicate critical supply, potential strategies have been screened. Rare earth elements have played a huge role improving wind turbines due to their use of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. Indium and tellurium are used to produce the new generation of solar cells. Lithium is important in electric vehicles and smartphone batteries. These potentially scarce metals might have the possibility to be substituted with other metals that can serve as a good enough substitution in these application. If these metals are substituted it is important that the substitution materials will not in themselves become critical. Substituting one critical metal with another might just result in the same unsustainable problems. These potentially scarce metals are also connected to some environmental consequences as demand is rapidly growing and mining is the main source for these metals. Another problem is that recycling rates are low and these metals often end up in landfills where they pose a risk of leaching hazardous or harmful substances. This scenario study showed supply limitations for the seven metals that were included. The outcome of this study resulted in the following conclusions:  Indium and tellurium have a risk to become extremely critical where neither reduced material intensity nor recycling can decrease demand enough.  Lithium demand Risks to become too high to support with current reserves and as material intensity is likely to increase, and recycling only can contribute with small shares in 2050, substitution is the preferable solution to the lithium scarcity.  Neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium demands can be reduced through reduced material intensity, but as they are dependent on other REEs the availability of these four metals will depend on the demand for other REEs  Materials under development as substitutions have to be studied regarding their availability and price sensitivity. Substituting one critical metal with another may result in similar problems for a new metal instead of a long-term solution. / <p>2017-05-02</p>

I samband med befolkningsökning, höjd generell levnadsstandard och teknikutveckling så har behovet av kritiska metaller i samhället ständigt ökat och det är enbart en tidsfråga om när minerallagret av dessa metaller tar slut. För att kunna bemöta framtida behov behövs en mer självständig produktion av kritiska metaller och en mer cirkulär ekonomi. Som följd av den ökande konsumtionen i samhället av metaller så ökar också risken för oönskad spridning och förändrad koncentration av ämnen i natur och samhälle. Som en följd av ökade närsalter i haven blir makroalgsblomningar vanligare vilket bland annat leder till att uppkastad tång och sjögräs längs kuster blir ett vanligare och ett växande problem i många delar av världen. Den här studien undersöker potentialen i att omvandla vad som vanligtvis anses vara avfall, strandkantens uppspolade sjögräs och alger, till en resurs genom utvinning av kritiska metaller från makroalger. För att beräkna potentialen av att utvinna metaller från alger har en litteraturstudie genomförts för att framställa mängder av kvarvarande kritiska metaller som jämförs med koncentrationer av gruvavfall och vanligt förekommande halter inom naturen. I samband med litteraturstudien skall ett beräkningsexempel begränsat till Gotland genomföras, för att beräkna en teoretisk mängd metall som skulle kunna utvinnas. Resultaten visar att makroalger har märkbart högre mängder kritiska metaller jämfört med vanligt förekommande referensarter och betydligt lägre mängder än gruvavfall. Studien kom till slutsatsen att det finns potential i utvinningen av kritiska metaller från makroalger, men att det kan bli mer kostnadseffektivt om man samtidigt tar vara på andra resurser från makroalgerna samtidigt som metaller utvinns. / In connection to population growth, higher living standards and technological development, the need for critical metals in society has constantly been increasing at an ever so accelerating pace, it is only a matter of time before their exhaustion. To fulfil future needs, increased independent production of critical metals and a more circular economy is needed. As a result of the increasing consumption within society, increased emissions are taking place into nature. In connection with increased pollution in nature, massbloooms of macroalgae and accumulating beach cast macroalgae and seaweed along coasts is becoming more common and a growing problem in many parts of the world.  This study investigates the potential of converting what is commonly considered waste, washed-up seaweed, and algae into a resource through the extraction of critical metals from such said waste. To calculate the potential of extracting metals from macroalgae, a literature study was conducted to show the amounts of critical metals in macroalgae which were then compared to concentrations found in mine waste and commonly found levels in nature. In connection with the literature study, a calculation example limited to Gotland was conducted, to calculate a theoretical amount of metal that could be extracted. The results show macroalgae has noticeably higher amounts of critical metals than commonly found in reference species and greatly lower amounts than that of mine waste. The study concluded that there is potential in the extraction of critical metals from macroalgae, but that it can be more cost-effective if other resources from the macroalgae are used at the same time as metals are extracted.

The Enåsen gold deposit is located in Gävleborg county in central Sweden. Mining operations at Enåsen took place from 1984 to 1991 with Au as the main target for exploitation. The deposit has been interpreted as a metamorphosed Palaeoproterozoic analogue to near-recent epithermal Au mineralisations of a high sulphidation type. Its present mineralogy, textural-structural features, and morphology have been suggested to be the result of a combination of later deformation and regional Svecokarelian metamorphism at upper amphibolite to granulite facies conditions of the original epithermal deposit and it’s hydrothermally altered host rock. The main ore body now consists of a mineralised sillimanite quartzite gneiss. The aim of the project was to characterise the ore mineralogy, petrography and its paragenesis, evaluate the potential of Enåsen in terms of critical metals, and to test a hypothesis of partial ore melting.Among the most frequent ore minerals in the deposit are pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, bornite and tetrahedrite-tennantite, with variable but less abundant sulphides including covellite, digenite, mawsonite, stannite, arsenopyrite, cobaltite, galena, marcasite, sphalerite and pentlandite. Additionally, native gold, Se-bearing tellurobismuthite, hessite, tsumoite, pilsenite, rickardite, vulcanite, altaite, molybdenite, frohbergite, montbrayite, tellurantimony, löllingite and tellurbismuthantimony. While not an ore mineral here, rutile occurs abundantly. The ore mineral assemblages have seemingly at least partially melted. This is evidenced by failed quenching textures in the form of abundant multi-scale symplectites, potential sharp dihedral angles, localised concentrations of low melting point chalcophile elements (LMCE) + Au and Ag and arrays of multiphase sulphide/sulphosalt ± gold inclusions, as well as available mineral stability data considering that the ore assemblages have been subjected to upper amphibolite/granulite facies conditions followed by ductile and brittle deformation stages. Some ore mineral relationships have been described. Further studies would be required for a full paragenesis. The potential of Enåsen type deposits in terms of critical or near critical metals and semi-metals is likely to be as biproduct extraction in a mining operation aimed at gold. The most relevant element is likely to be bismuth, followed by tellurium and antimony.

This thesis analyses EU policy making on critical metals for renewable energy technologies, with a focus on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and cobalt. A thematic text analysis on EU documents published between 2010-2018 was conducted to identify themes and patterns in the EU debate and policy-making. The results showed that the EU has a clear objective to secure access to critical metals, to reduce import dependency and increase competitiveness on the market for critical metals. The key strategies to secure access to metals are to increase primary supply by increased domestic mining and by investing in countries with large reserves of critical metals; to improve recycling rates of these metals; to find substitution metals to replace the critical ones; and to focus on resource diplomacy. Environmental and social risks from an increased demand for REEs and cobalt gain little attention in the studied documents. Geopolitical risks are concluded as linked to the dependency on import from a few producing countries, China for REEs and DR Congo for cobalt, and are mainly focused on risks affecting the EU access to the metals. The struggle over resources and related geopolitical interactions are concluded to be affected by historical and existing global power structures. Further, the thesis concludes that EU resource diplomacy aims at facilitating for the EU to remain a powerful and competitive actor on the global market for trade of critical metal.

The aim of this work is to assess the feasibility of asteroid exploitation as a potential source of valuable elements for a future green energy society and achieving a long-term sustainable development of our society. This research is based on the compilation of chemical data of elements concentration of 13 groups of iron meteorites from literature. These data were used to feed mathematical models to fit the historical world production data of each element and predicts the peak year and the future trend of their world production until 2100. Eventually, this work aims to calculate the required mass of asteroids for reaching different productions, and identify the most suitable groups of iron meteorites for exploitation.

In spite of an ever-growing supply of metals, actors have long feared metal shortages. This thesis – departing from an understanding that metals scarcity is not an objective geological fact, but an experience, a fear of a shortage – explores why business and state actors have experienced metals as scarce and how they coped with scarcity from 1870 to 2015. The underlying reasons for scarcity experiences originated in high prices, a lack of substitutes, domestic unavailability, limited infrastructure and increased demand. In the view of businesses and the state, a shortage of metals could hinder successful industrialization. Defining metals as scarce was a first step in their attempts to ensure access through exploration, recycling, substitution, and trade agreements. This dissertation presents five case studies which provide insights into three selected aspects of metals scarcity that have been overlooked in previous studies. First, while small countries experienced and coped with metals scarcity in a similar way to large nations, they were more vulnerable because of their dependence on transnational flows controlled by larger countries. Yet if they remained neutral in international conflicts, they could enjoy other opportunities to import resources than their larger rivals. Second, industries experienced metals scarcity before World War I; with the onset of the Second Industrial Revolution, at the very latest, new technologies were often dependent on metals which had never before been used commercially – there were not yet any extraction systems in place. However, once these metals began to circulate, state actors became aware of the international traffic and began to classify certain metals as critical. Thirdly, technological change has affected – and been affected by – metals scarcity. If a metal was scarce, manufacturers were likely to embark on a different path to production. Inversely, sometimes new technologies were able to alleviate perceptions of scarcity. / <p>QC 20171206</p>

The escalating demand for metals driven by advancements in renewable energy technologies and hightech products has underscored the significance of understanding and characterizing ore deposits. This study focuses on the Ertelien Ni-Cu deposit in Norway, a region rich in nickel, cobalt, and copper resources—essential components for the transition to a sustainable energy future. The deposit, located within the Kongsberg belt, holds substantial economic potential due to its Ni-Cu-Co sulfide mineral enrichment. Previous assay results from drill cores, optical microscopy, and electron probe micro-analysis were employed to characterize the mineralogy and based on this interpreter the formation mechanisms, and enrichment processes that formed the deposit.  The Ertelien deposit represents an igneous origin with significant Ni-Cu-Co content estimated at 2.7 million metric tons, with grades of 0.83%, 0.69%, and 0.06%, respectively, within a gabbronorite intrusive body. Optical microscopy and electron probe micro-analysis revealed a complex mineral assemblage including common silicates such as plagioclase, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, olivine, and others, as well as sulfides such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite.  The primary objective of this study is to conduct an in-depth examination of the geological, mineralogical, and enrichment aspects of the Ertelien deposit. Specifically, primary magmatic and assimilation processes involved in the formation of Ni-Cu-deposits were be evaluated, as well as any potential metal redistribution resulting from secondary processes. Mineralogical studies, facilitated by combining optical microscopy and electron microprobe analysis provided important information on the mechanisms contributing to metal enrichment in or deposits. Optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis revealed a complex mineral assemblage including common silicates such as plagioclase, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, olivine, and others, as well as sulfides such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite.  The analyzed rock suite spans a range of compositions from gabbroic to tonalite, with MgO concentrations varying from 0.38 to 22.96 wt.%. Overall, there is a discernible trend of sulfur enrichment in or near samples characterized by low MgO and high Na2O and CaO contents, suggesting that sulfide saturation is likely associated with the assimilation of S-bearing gneisses into which the Ertelien gabbronorites intruded. Ni concentrations exhibit an increasing trend with depth. The nickel-to-cobalt ratio (Ni/Co) displays a discernible pattern that correlates with sulfide crystallization during the process of magmatic fractionation. Notable distinctions observed among groups characterized by differing Ni/Co contents in chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite reveal distinct trends in Ni concentrations. In conjunction with the presence of sphalerite and Ag-pentlandite, which are indicative of lower temperature origin compared to magmatic activity, all these observations provide compelling indications of diverse potential sources, including variations in magma compositions and the influence of hydrothermal processes.  Investigating ore formation conditions enhances the mining sector's ability to identify high-potential mineralization areas, vital for ensuring a stable supply of metals essential for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. / Den eskalerande efterfrågan på metaller som drivs av framsteg inom förnybar energiteknik och högteknologiska produkter har understrukit betydelsen av att förstå och karakterisera malmfyndigheter. Denna studie fokuserar på Ertelien Ni-Cu-fyndigheten i Norge, en region rik på nickel-, kobolt- och kopparresurser – väsentliga komponenter för övergången till en hållbar energiframtid. Fyndigheten, som ligger inom Kongsbergsbältet, har en betydande ekonomisk potential på grund av dess Ni-Cu-Cosulfidmineralanrikning. Tidigare analysresultat från borrkärnor, optisk mikroskopi och elektronsondsmikroanalys användes för att karakterisera mineralogin och baserat på denna tolk för bildningsmekanismerna och anrikningsprocesserna som bildade fyndigheten.  Ertelien-avlagringen representerar ett magmatiskt ursprung med betydande Ni-Cu-Co-innehåll uppskattat till 2.7 miljoner ton, med halter på 0.83%, 0.69% respektive 0.06% inom en gabbronorit-intrusiv kropp. Optisk mikroskopi och elektronsondsmikroanalys avslöjade en komplex mineralsammansättning inklusive vanliga silikater som plagioklas, pyroxen, amfibol, glimmer, olivin och andra, såväl som sulfider som pyrit, kolopirit, pyrrotit, pentlandit.  Det primära syftet med denna studie är att genomföra en djupgående undersökning av de geologiska, mineralogiska och anrikningsaspekterna av Ertelienfyndigheten. Specifikt utvärderades primära magmatiska och assimileringsprocesser involverade i bildandet av Ni-Cu-avlagringar, såväl som eventuell metallomfördelning till följd av sekundära processer. Mineralogiska studier, underlättade genom att kombinera optisk mikroskopi och elektronmikrosondanalys gav viktig information om de mekanismer som bidrar till metallanrikning i eller avlagringar. Optisk mikroskopi och elektronsondsmikroanalys avslöjade en komplex mineralsammansättning inklusive vanliga silikater som plagioklas, pyroxen, amfibol, glimmer, olivin och andra, såväl som sulfider som pyrit, kolopirit, pyrrotit, pentlandit.  Den analyserade bergsviten sträcker sig över en rad kompositioner från gabbroic till tonalit, med MgOkoncentrationer som varierar från 0.38 till 22.96 viktprocent. Sammantaget finns det en urskiljbar trend av svavelanrikning i eller nära prover som kännetecknas av lågt MgO och högt Na2O- och CaO-innehåll, vilket tyder på att sulfidmättnad sannolikt är associerad med assimileringen av S-bärande gnejser i vilka Ertelien-gabbronoriterna inträngde. Ni-koncentrationer uppvisar en ökande trend med djupet. Förhållandet nickel till kobolt (Ni/Co) visar ett urskiljbart mönster som korrelerar med sulfidkristallisation under processen för magmatisk fraktionering. Anmärkningsvärda skillnader som observerats bland grupper som kännetecknas av olika Ni/Co-halter i karbonat, pentlandit, pyrrotit och pyrit avslöjar distinkta trender i Nikoncentrationer. I samband med närvaron av sfalerit och Ag-pentlandit, som indikerar lägre temperaturursprung jämfört med magmatisk aktivitet, ger alla dessa observationer övertygande indikationer på olika potentiella källor, inklusive variationer i magmasammansättningar och påverkan av hydrotermiska processer.  Att undersöka malmbildningsförhållanden förbättrar gruvsektorns förmåga att identifiera mineraliseringsområden med hög potential, avgörande för att säkerställa en stabil tillgång på metaller som är nödvändiga för förnybara energisystem, elfordon och avancerad elektronik.