Mining of Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore, baseline;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore

Categories:
Categories:
Unit processes/Materials production/Non-energetic raw materials
Location:
NMG-CN
Reference year: 2012 -
Description

This mining process for rare earth element (REE) containing ore is used primarily to extract raw materials necessary for the production of rare earth elements. These elements are critical in manufacturing high-tech devices, electronics, clean energy technologies, advanced aerospace components, and specialized magnets such as those used in NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) magnets. When using the dataset related to the mining of REE containing ore, ensure that your life cycle assessment considers the specific environmental impacts associated with surface mining techniques, such as drilling and blasting. Account for the high ore grade of 4.1% REO in resource depletion calculations, and apply the dataset consistently for products that require rare earth elements. Pay attention to technological shifts that might alter the process efficiency or environmental impact. Review the detailed LCI, assumptions, and allocation choices in the supporting information of the data set to ensure data quality and representativeness.

Technology

Ore is recovered from the open pit mine using conventional surface mining techniques such as drilling and blasting. The mine contains 750 million tons of ore at 4.1% REO

Process type
Unit
LCI modeling approach
Attributional
Multifunctional modeling
NONE
Format
ILCD
Aggregation type
NOT_APPLICABLE
Data provider
TianGong
Review status
Internal
Cost
Free
Contact
Tiangong LCI Data Working Group