Extracting Rare Earth Elements from Old Coal Mining Operations

Researchers from West Virginia University are investigating techniques for extracting rare earth elements from old coal mines. Contaminated ground water and coal mining overburden laced with rare earth minerals holds the potential to enhance the nation’s energy and product manufacturing future.

Valuable Elements from Coal Mine Groundwater

Instead of mining coal, researchers are repurposing mine waste and contaminated mine drainage into a valuable resource of rare earth elements and other valuable metals. Metals that are crucial for making electric vehicle motors, batteries, LED’s, and even fighter jets.

West Virginia University’s pilot project aims to develop a secure U.S. supply of these metals and simultaneously clean up coal mine contamination. With federal funding supporting test programs, it can become a commercial-scale enterprise.

The U.S. government is funding efforts to recover rare earth elements to reduce our dependence on China and secure strategic minerals for U.S. national security. A significant financial boost to developing this technology was recently received from the Biden Administration Infra-structure Law.

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Earth Elements

The project aims to create clean energy jobs in declining coal towns and address coal pollution, which in Pennsylvania alone has impacted over 5,000 miles of streams. Restoration actions positively impact community livelihoods and improve environmental conditions leading to increased recreational activities and natural resource improvement.

Extracted rare earth elements are lightweight, magnetized, and have superior conductivity and alloy properties, making them valuable for various technologies. Consequently, the Department of Energy is funding research to prove commercial viability for private companies.

Coal Mine Advanced Projects and the Extraction Process

Projects in West Virginia and elsewhere including North Dakota coal operations focus on extracting elements like yttrium, neodymium, gadolinium, germanium, and gallium. In addition, other mining operations such as copper and phosphate mines also hold potential.

It will take time to develop the technologies for extracting rare earth elements. Projections by the Department of Energy assume 50% of future rare earth element demand could be obtained from these new technologies in the next 20 to 30 years. As a means to address current shortfalls, federal subsidies to buy reclaimed metals at stable prices are suggested to prevent market manipulation by China.

Extracting rare earth elements from old coal mines will cleanup the environment, create jobs, and enhance national security. These technological actions breath new economic vitality into declining coal communities and contributes to the U.S. economy.

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References
Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in Appalachia, AP, Marc Levy
The Energy Transition Will Need More Rare Earth Elements. Can We Secure Them Sustainably?, Columbia Climate School, Renee Cho