Description

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are raw materials which are economically and strategically important for society, but for which long-term supply is not secure. The CRMs needed for the Energy Transition are a special concern and their exploration has high priority worldwide. They include Rare Earth Elements (REE, such as neodymium) for magnets in the generators of wind-turbines, and lithium for batteries of electric vehicles. In addition, recycling of end-of-life materials containing these elements (e.g., urban mining) is a growing field. Here are examples of possible academic research projects that can ultimately contribute to securing a global supply of critical materials.

Objectives and Methodology

This project will focus on defining spectral signatures of lithium minerals of interest to the mining industry. There is a need for systematic research to quantify the relation between chemical composition and spectral absorption features in Li-bearing micas in the shortwave and longwave infrared domains. Moreover, spectral identification of spodumene and petalite (the minerals currently exploited in hard-rock lithium mining worldwide) in drill core and grab samples will require new, innovative research focusing on the long-wave infrared domain using imaging and non-imaging spectroscopy.
In the project, spectroscopy techniques will be combined with other geochemical and mineralogical techniques such such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and ‘wet chemistry’ techniques such as ICP-AES and/or ICP-MS.
Rock samples from a number of potential REE resources around the world are available for the project, and it is likely that this project can involve mining industry partners.

Further reading