yangibana

I found the below article which was written yesterday on a Western Australian Science forum.

Its relevent to both GTI/ARV. (Please note last paragraph)


GREEN technology producers around the world eye the Kimberley for rare earth elements (REE) as China cuts exports.


A three-megawatt wind turbine requires about two tonnes of neodymium. Image: iStockREEs are comprised of 15 lanthanide elements (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, promethium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium). Yttrium and scandium are included as they have similar chemical properties, making 17 REEs in total, all metals.

REEs are vital in mobile phones and computers, with strong, lightweight magnetic qualities. They are also used in fibre-optics, high-quality camera lenses, medical isotopes and medical lasers.

The green technology sector relies heavily on REEs for electricity production. A Toyota Prius uses roughly one kilogram of neodymium in its permanent magnets, while its battery uses between four and nine kilograms of neodymium.

A three-megawatt wind turbine requires about two tonnes of neodymium.

Needless to say, demand is skyrocketing, exacerbating a looming, and potentially catastrophic, problem.

China currently mines 95 percent of REEs, primarily from Baotou on the edge of the Gobi Desert.

In late 2010 China announced a plan to raise export taxes by 25 percent while reducing exports by 30 percent. This monopoly leveraging has spurred on REE projects around the globe.

Hence the WA drive for vital rare earths elements has ratcheted up. Following an oversubscribed IPO, Kimberley Rare Earths Limited (KRE) began trading on the ASX on May 18.

KRE raised $18.2 million for its Cummins Range development, 130 km southwest of Halls Creek. The 48.5 km2 project features a near-surface resource with a potential low waste-to-ore ratio.

?The Cummins Range project is of significant importance to WA should feasibility studies prove positive,? says KRE Director Allan Trench. ?It furthers a new minerals-based industry segment, diversifying the State?s commodity base and benefiting the economy.?

KRE are following Lynas Corporation, whose Mt Weld is the richest known REE deposit on the globe. The company has recently mined 773,300 tonnes of ore with 15.4 percent REE.

Contrary to their name, REEs are not rare in abundance, but difficult to mine due to low concentrations and profitability.

The US stopped production two decades ago due to cost and environmental concerns. Radioactive waste is produced in the process due to the common presence of thorium and radium.

The new Kimberley endeavour is showing due diligence.

?We?re committed to best-in-class environmental management,? says Dr Trench. ?This critical aspect of a future development decision will be a focus for all our metallurgical testwork.

?Even at initial drilling, we?re implementing an on-site radiation management plan.?

KRE and Lynas may not be alone in REE exploration in WA for long. Artemis Resources are currently conducting field tests on a seven-kilometre trench in Yangibana showing high levels of cerium, neodymium, lanthanum and praseodymium.