A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Rare-Earth Element Resources in Sedimentary Systems

Creason, C. G.; Justman, D.; Rose, K.; Montross, S.; Bean, A.; Mark-Moser, M.; Wingo, P.; Sabbatino, M.; Thomas, R. B.

doi:10.1007/s11053-023-10163-x

A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Rare-Earth Element Resources in Sedimentary Systems

Journal Article · Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Natural Resources Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-023-10163-x· OSTI ID:1959388

; Justman, D.; Rose, K.; Montross, S.; Bean, A.; Mark-Moser, M.; Wingo, P.; Sabbatino, M.; Thomas, R. B.

Abstract

Rare-earth elements (REEs) supply raw materials that constitute many of our modern critical infrastructure, defense, technology, and electrification needs. Despite REE accumulations occurring in conventional bedrock and ion-adsorption deposits sourced from weathering of igneous rocks, unconventional host materials such as coal and related sedimentary strata have been identified as promising sources of REEs to meet growing demand. To maximize the potential of unconventional resources such as REE-coal systems, new approaches are needed overcome challenges from mineral systems with no known deposits and areas with sparse geochemical data. This article presents a systematic knowledge-data resource assessment method for predicting and identifying REE resource potential and occurrence in these unconventional systems. The method utilizes a geologic and geospatial knowledge-data approach informed and guided by REE accumulation mechanisms to systematically assess and identify areas of higher enrichment. An assessment of the Powder River Basin is presented as a test case to demonstrate the method workflow and results. The key output is a potential enrichment score map reported with varying confidence levels based on the amount of supporting evidence. Results from the test case indicate several locations with promising potential for different types of coal-REE deposits, demonstrating the viability of the method for exploration and assessment of unconventional REE resources. The method is flexible by design and, with sufficient applicable knowledge and data, can be adapted for assessing critical mineral systems in other sedimentary systems as well.

View Journal Article

Research Organization:: Leidos, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD (United States); National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89243318CFE000003

OSTI ID:: 1959388

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1991092

Journal Information:: Natural Resources Research, Journal Name: Natural Resources Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 32; ISSN 1520-7439

Publisher:: Springer Science + Business MediaCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (64)

Basic concepts in three-part quantitative assessments of undiscovered mineral resources Singer, Donald A. Nonrenewable Resources, Vol. 2, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02272804	journal	June 1993
Knowledge-Driven Prospectivity Mapping for Granite-Related Polymetallic Sn–F–(REE) mineralization, Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa Mutele, Litshedzani; Billay, Alazar; Hunt, John Paul Natural Resources Research, Vol. 26, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9325-8	journal	February 2017
Natural Resources Research Publications on Geochemical Anomaly and Mineral Potential Mapping, and Introduction to the Special Issue of Papers in These Fields Carranza, Emmanuel John M. Natural Resources Research, Vol. 26, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9348-1	journal	June 2017
Geodata Science-Based Mineral Prospectivity Mapping: A Review Zuo, Renguang Natural Resources Research, Vol. 29, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09700-9	journal	May 2020
A Study on Removal of Rare Earth Elements from U.S. Coal Byproducts by Ion Exchange Rozelle, Peter L.; Khadilkar, Aditi B.; Pulati, Nuerxida Metallurgical and Materials Transactions E, Vol. 3, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40553-015-0064-7	journal	January 2016
The association of major, minor and trace inorganic elements with lignites. III. Trace elements in four lignites and general discussion of all data from this study Given, Peter H.; Miller, Robert N. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 51, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(87)90174-8	journal	July 1987
Composition of the Continental Crust Rudnick, R. L.; Gao, S. Treatise on Geochemistry https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043751-6/03016-4	book	January 2003
Fuzzy sets Zadeh, L. A. Information and Control, Vol. 8, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-9958(65)90241-X	journal	June 1965
Trace element geochemistry of altered volcanic ash layers (tonsteins) in Late Permian coal-bearing formations of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China Zhou, Yiping; Bohor, Bruce F.; Ren, Youliang International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 44, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(00)00017-3	journal	September 2000
Aspects of the geochemistry of rare earth elements in coal: an experimental approach Eskenazy, G. M. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 38, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(98)00027-5	journal	January 1999
Aspects of rare earth element enrichment in Central Appalachian coals Hower, James C.; Eble, Cortland F.; Backus, Jason S. Applied Geochemistry, Vol. 120 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104676	journal	September 2020
Mineral potential targeting and resource assessment based on 3D geological modeling in Luanchuan region, China Wang, Gongwen; Zhang, Shouting; Yan, Changhai Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 37, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2011.05.007	journal	December 2011
Fuzzification of continuous-value spatial evidence for mineral prospectivity mapping Yousefi, Mahyar; Carranza, Emmanuel John M. Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 74 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2014.10.014	journal	January 2015
GIS-based rare events logistic regression for mineral prospectivity mapping Xiong, Yihui; Zuo, Renguang Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 111 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2017.10.005	journal	February 2018
Distilling data to drive carbon storage insights Morkner, Paige; Bauer, Jennifer; Creason, C. Gabriel Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 158 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2021.104945	journal	January 2022
Estimations of Clarkes for Carbonaceous biolithes: World averages for trace element contents in black shales and coals Ketris, M. P.; Yudovich, Ya. E. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 78, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2009.01.002	journal	April 2009
The origin of tonsteins, an overview, and links with seatearths, fireclays and fragmental clay rocks Spears, D. A. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 94 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2011.09.008	journal	May 2012
Coal deposits as potential alternative sources for lanthanides and yttrium Seredin, Vladimir V.; Dai, Shifeng International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 94 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2011.11.001	journal	May 2012
Mineralogical and geochemical anomalies of late Permian coals from the Fusui Coalfield, Guangxi Province, southern China: Influences of terrigenous materials and hydrothermal fluids Dai, Shifeng; Zhang, Weiguo; Ward, Colin R. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 105 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2012.12.003	journal	January 2013
Origin of minerals and elements in the Late Permian coals, tonsteins, and host rocks of the Xinde Mine, Xuanwei, eastern Yunnan, China Dai, Shifeng; Li, Tian; Seredin, Vladimir V. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 121 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2013.11.001	journal	January 2014
Distribution of rare earth elements in eastern Kentucky coals: Indicators of multiple modes of enrichment? Hower, James C.; Eble, Cortland F.; Dai, Shifeng International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 160-161 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2016.04.009	journal	April 2016
Organic and inorganic associations of rare earth elements in central Appalachian coal Lin, Ronghong; Bank, Tracy L.; Roth, Elliot A. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 179 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2017.07.002	journal	June 2017
Rare earth minerals in a “no tonstein” section of the Dean (Fire Clay) coal, Knox County, Kentucky Hower, James C.; Berti, Debora; Hochella, Michael F. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 193 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2018.05.001	journal	June 2018
Advanced characterization of rare earth element minerals in coal utilization byproducts using multimodal image analysis Montross, Scott N.; Verba, Circe A.; Chan, Han Ling International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 195 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2018.06.018	journal	July 2018
Deep learning and its application in geochemical mapping Zuo, Renguang; Xiong, Yihui; Wang, Jian Earth-Science Reviews, Vol. 192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2019.02.023	journal	May 2019
Environmental Data Science Gibert, Karina; Horsburgh, Jeffery S.; Athanasiadis, Ioannis N. Environmental Modelling & Software, Vol. 106 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.04.005	journal	August 2018
Which method to use? An assessment of data mining methods in Environmental Data Science Gibert, Karina; Izquierdo, Joaquín; Sànchez-Marrè, Miquel Environmental Modelling & Software, Vol. 110 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.09.021	journal	December 2018
Association characteristic study and preliminary recovery investigation of rare earth elements from Fire Clay seam coal middlings Zhang, Wencai; Yang, Xinbo; Honaker, Rick Q. Fuel, Vol. 215 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.11.075	journal	March 2018
Lanthanide–humic substances complexation. I. Experimental evidence for a lanthanide contraction effect Sonke, Jeroen E.; Salters, Vincent J. M. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 70, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2005.11.017	journal	March 2006
A geochemical modeling to predict the different concentrations of REE and their hidden patterns using several supervised learning methods: Choghart iron deposit, bafq, Iran Zaremotlagh, S.; Hezarkhani, A. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol. 165 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2016.02.001	journal	June 2016
Geodata science and geochemical mapping Zuo, Renguang; Xiong, Yihui Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol. 209 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106431	journal	February 2020
Data analysis methods for prospectivity modelling as applied to mineral exploration targeting: State-of-the-art and outlook Yousefi, Mahyar; Carranza, Emmanuel John M.; Kreuzer, Oliver P. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol. 229 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2021.106839	journal	October 2021
Rare earth elements: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact Balaram, V. Geoscience Frontiers, Vol. 10, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.12.005	journal	July 2019
The use of decision tree induction and artificial neural networks for recognizing the geochemical distribution patterns of LREE in the Choghart deposit, Central Iran Zaremotlagh, S.; Hezarkhani, A. Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 128 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.08.018	journal	April 2017
A deposit scale mineral prospectivity analysis: A comparison of various knowledge-driven approaches for porphyry copper targeting in Seridune, Iran Abedi, Maysam; Mostafavi Kashani, Seyed Bagher; Norouzi, Gholam-Hossain Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 128 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.09.028	journal	April 2017
SOM guided fuzzy logic prospectivity model for gold in the Häme Belt, southwestern Finland Leväniemi, Hanna; Hulkki, Helena; Tiainen, Markku Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 128 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.10.010	journal	April 2017
Introduction to the special issue: GIS-based mineral potential targeting Yousefi, Mahyar; Nykänen, Vesa Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 128 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.02.023	journal	April 2017
Fuzzy outranking approach: A knowledge-driven method for mineral prospectivity mapping Abedi, Maysam; Norouzi, Gholam-Hossain; Fathianpour, Nader International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, Vol. 21 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2012.07.012	journal	April 2013
Translating the mineral systems approach into an effective exploration targeting system McCuaig, T. Campbell; Beresford, Steve; Hronsky, Jon Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 38, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2010.05.008	journal	November 2010
Introduction to the Special Issue: Mineral prospectivity analysis and quantitative resource estimation Porwal, Alok K.; Kreuzer, Oliver P. Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 38, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2010.06.002	journal	November 2010
Mineral system analysis: Quo vadis Hagemann, S. G.; Lisitsin, V. A.; Huston, D. L. Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 76 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.12.012	journal	July 2016
Applying spatial prospectivity mapping to exploration targeting: Fundamental practical issues and suggested solutions for the future Hronsky, Jon M. A.; Kreuzer, Oliver P. Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2019.03.016	journal	April 2019
Translating expressions of intrusion-related mineral systems into mappable spatial proxies for mineral potential mapping: Case studies from the Southern New England Orogen, Australia Ford, A.; Peters, K. J.; Partington, G. A. Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 111 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2019.102943	journal	August 2019
Exploration information systems – A proposal for the future use of GIS in mineral exploration targeting Yousefi, Mahyar; Kreuzer, Oliver P.; Nykänen, Vesa Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 111 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2019.103005	journal	August 2019
Introduction to the special issue on spatial modelling and analysis of ore-forming processes in mineral exploration targeting Kreuzer, Oliver P.; Yousefi, Mahyar; Nykänen, Vesa Ore Geology Reviews, Vol. 119 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103391	journal	April 2020
Adsorption of rare earth elements in regolith-hosted clay deposits Borst, Anouk M.; Smith, Martin P.; Finch, Adrian A. Nature Communications, Vol. 11, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17801-5	journal	September 2020
Array programming with NumPy Harris, Charles R.; Millman, K. Jarrod; van der Walt, Stéfan J. Nature, Vol. 585, Issue 7825 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2649-2	journal	September 2020
Reconnaissance-scale conceptual fuzzy-logic prospectivity modelling for iron oxide copper – gold deposits in the northern Fennoscandian Shield, Finland Nykänen, V.; Groves, D. I.; Ojala, V. J. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 55, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1080/08120090701581372	journal	February 2008
Geographic Data Science Singleton, Alex; Arribas‐Bel, Daniel Geographical Analysis, Vol. 53, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1111/gean.12194	journal	April 2019
Evaluating Thickness of Bauxite Deposit Using Indicator Geostatistics and Fuzzy Estimation Dag, Ahmet; Mert, Bayram A. Resource Geology, Vol. 58, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-3928.2008.00055.x	journal	June 2008
Variable Grid Method: An Intuitive Approach for Simultaneously Quantifying and Visualizing Spatial Data and Uncertainty: Variable Grid Method for Communicating Uncertainty Bauer, Jennifer R.; Rose, Kelly Transactions in GIS, Vol. 19, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1111/tgis.12158	journal	June 2015
Cumulative spatial impact layers: A novel multivariate spatio‐temporal analytical summarization tool Romeo, Lucy; Nelson, Jake; Wingo, Patrick Transactions in GIS, Vol. 23, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1111/tgis.12558	journal	June 2019
Rare earth element mobility in and around carbonatites controlled by sodium, potassium, and silica Anenburg, Michael; Mavrogenes, John A.; Frigo, Corinne Science Advances, Vol. 6, Issue 41 https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abb6570	journal	October 2020
Coal in a carbonate sequence stratigraphic framework: the Upper Permian Heshan Formation in central Guangxi, southern China Shao, Longyi; Zhang, Pengfei; Gayer, R. A. Journal of the Geological Society, Vol. 160, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-764901-108	journal	March 2003
A systematic, science-driven approach for predicting subsurface properties Rose, Kelly Kathleen; Bauer, Jennifer R.; Mark-Moser, MacKenzie Interpretation, Vol. 8, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2019-0019.1	journal	February 2020
Resource assessment methodologies: Current status and future direction Meneley, Robert A.; Calverley, Alfred E.; Logan, Kenneth G. AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 87, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1306/10180202006	journal	April 2003
Errors and Uncertainty in Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimation: The Importance of Getting it Right Dominy, S. C. Exploration and Mining Geology, Vol. 11, Issue 1-4 https://doi.org/10.2113/11.1-4.77	journal	January 2002
A Detailed Assessment of Global Rare Earth Element Resources: Opportunities and Challenges Weng, Zhehan; Jowitt, Simon M.; Mudd, Gavin M. Economic Geology, Vol. 110, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.110.8.1925	journal	November 2015
The State Geologic Map Compilation (SGMC) geodatabase of the conterminous United States Horton, John D.; San Juan, Carma A.; Stoeser, Douglas B. https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1052	report	January 2017
The U.S. Geological Survey coal quality (COALQUAL) database version 3.0 Palmer, Curtis A.; Oman, Charles L.; Park, Andy J. U.S. Geological Survey https://doi.org/10.3133/ds975	report	January 2015
Rare-earth elements Van Gosen, Bradley S.; Verplanck, Philip L.; Seal, Robert R. https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1802O	report	December 2017
The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United States: A summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective Long, Keith R.; Van Gosen, Bradley S.; Foley, Nora K. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20105220	report	January 2010
On a Unified Core Characterization Methodology to Support the Systematic Assessment of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals Bearing Unconventional Carbon Ores and Sedimentary Strata Montross, Scott N.; Bagdonas, Davin; Paronish, Thomas Minerals, Vol. 12, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.3390/min12091159	journal	September 2022
Notes on Contributions to the Science of Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Coal and Coal Combustion Byproducts Hower, James; Granite, Evan; Mayfield, David Minerals, Vol. 6, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.3390/min6020032	journal	March 2016

Similar Records

A Multi-scale, Geo-data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Critical Mineral Resources

Conference · Tue Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · OSTI ID:2217215

Towards A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Rare Earth Element and Critical Mineral Occurrences in Coal and Other Sedimentary Systems

Technical Report · Thu Jul 22 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · OSTI ID:1809028

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
REE enrichment
fuzzy logic
knowledge-data framework
resource assessment

A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Rare-Earth Element Resources in Sedimentary Systems

Citation Formats

References (64)

Similar Records

Related Subjects