Critical Minerals and Materials Program Overview

NETL Collaboration Led by Physical Sciences, Inc. Extracts Valuable Rare Earth Element Concentrates from Appalachian Coal Ash


A NETL-supported project by Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) has demonstrated its capabilities to produce rare earth element (REE) concentrates using available coal ash resources from Appalachia, providing a potential domestic source of these critical minerals and a means of local environmental remediation.

 

Mark Render, Federal Project Manager, NETL
Dorin Preda, University of Kentucky/em>

The University of Kentucky Conducts Pilot-Scale Testing for REE Extraction and Recovery in NETL-Supported Initiative


A NETL-supported project at the University of Kentucky (UK) successfully conducted pilot-scale testing in their facility that was designed to recover rare earth elements from coal and coal by-products using advanced extraction technologies. The UK achieved production of mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) concentrates of up to 98% purity, exceeding original project goals.

 

Charles Miller, Federal Project Manager, NETL
Dr. Rick Honaker, University of Kentucky

Advancements in Rare Earth Elements Extraction Processes


An NETL-supported project at West Virginia University (WVU) to extract economically and strategically important rare earth elements (REEs) from Appalachian coal resources reached new milestones, such as partial automation of the recovery process, and exceeded its original REE purity and recovery goals.


 

Jessica Mullen, Federal Project Manager, NETL
Paul Ziemkiewicz, West Virginia University

The University of North Dakota Exceeds Goals in NETL-Supported REE Extraction Project


An NETL-supported project at the University of North Dakota (UND) to economically extract strategically important rare earth elements (REE) has shown that lignite is a potential domestic source of these vital minerals using a single-step acid-leaching process that also produces valuable by-products and takes advantage of existing mining infrastructure.

 

Charles Miller, Federal Project Manager, NETL
Dr. Michael Mann, University of North Dakota