Assessing the economic viability of unconventional rare earth element feedstocks

Fritz, Alison G.; Tarka, Thomas J.; Mauter, Meagan S.

doi:10.1038/s41893-023-01145-1

Assessing the economic viability of unconventional rare earth element feedstocks

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Nature Sustainability

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01145-1· OSTI ID:2328134

^[1]; Tarka, Thomas J. ^[2]; ^[3]

National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Albany, OR (United States); Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Sourcing rare earth elements (REEs) from unconventional feedstocks has substantial environmental and societal-economic benefits, but its economic viability remains unclear. Here, we propose a framework for assessing the economic viability of unconventional REE feedstocks. Here, we first develop a database of capital and operating expenses for REE recovery and establish consistent process unit costs for common stages in the conventional supply chain. We then use market prices to develop well-defined methods for determining diverse product values. Finally, we report the effects of economies of scale and feedstock purity on capital and operating costs. These tools can reduce the uncertainty in the assessment of the economic viability of producing REE from unconventional feedstocks, determine the value of innovative pathways for REE production from diverse sources, and inform research priorities across a wide range of REE product development stages, contributing to a sustainable REE supply.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States); Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

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

OSTI ID:: 2328134

Journal Information:: Nature Sustainability, Journal Name: Nature Sustainability Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 6; ISSN 2398-9629

Publisher:: Springer NatureCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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