Joint Venture Israel
The extraction of beryllium, tantalum, lithium, and cerium is crucial for modern technology but comes with significant social, economic, and environmental challenges. Developing alternatives and sustainable mining methods is essential to minimize negative impacts and ensure responsible use of these valuable resources. Beside others our partner inside this joint venture is Ce58 Mining Industry GmbH, Hamburg.
High Technology. You need the ressources. Otherwise you are only weak and a toy for the others.
Applications: Beryllium is known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and excellent thermal conductivity. These properties make it essential in aerospace, satellites, X-ray equipment, and high-performance computers and mobile phones. It is also used in nuclear technology as a moderator and reflector in reactors and in military applications for precision instruments and weapons.
Extraction: Beryllium is primarily obtained through mining beryllium minerals like beryl and bertrandite. The process involves crushing the ore, chemically extracting beryllium, and refining it.
Major Producing Countries and Reserves: The USA and China are the largest producers of beryllium. Global reserves are estimated at approximately 80,000 tonnes, with the USA holding around 65% of these reserves. Ukraine does not have significant reserves or
production of beryllium.
Challenges and Impacts: The extraction and processing of beryllium pose significant health risks, as inhaling beryllium dust can lead to chronic lung diseases. Environmental
pollution from mining and chemical processing is also a major concern.
Alternatives: Substituting aluminum and titanium in specific applications can reduce dependence on beryllium. Research into new materials with similar properties is ongoing.
Applications: Tantalum is primarily used in the electronics industry for capacitors and high-temperature resistant alloys. It is crucial in smartphones, laptops, and other portable devices. Additionally, tantalum is used in military electronics, rocket components, and armor.
Extraction: Tantalum is mainly extracted from coltan (columbite-tantalite) through mining and refining processes.
Major Producing Countries and Reserves: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are leading producers of tantalum. Global reserves are estimated at around 150,000 tonnes, with the DRC holding a significant portion. Ukraine has tantalum deposits, particularly in the Dobra and Kruta Balka regions, but large-scale mining has not been established.
Challenges and Impacts: Tantalum mining in the DRC is associated with human rights violations, child labor, and financing armed conflicts. Environmental destruction from illegal mining is also widespread.
Alternatives: Recycling tantalum from electronic waste and developing new materials like niobium can reduce dependence.
Applications: Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. It is also used in the glass and ceramics industry. Lithium is significant in nuclear fusion technology and military applications in high-energy weapons.
Extraction: Lithium is extracted from mineral sources (spodumene) and brine (salt lakes). The process includes evaporating brine and extracting lithium.
Major Producing Countries and Reserves: Chile, Australia, and Argentina are the largest lithium producers. Global reserves are estimated at about 80 million tonnes. Ukraine has significant lithium deposits in the Shevchenkivske, Kruta Balka, and Dobra regions. The Shevchenkivske field alone has estimated reserves of around 13.8 million tonnes
Challenges and Impacts: Lithium extraction from salt lakes consumes large amounts of water and can disrupt local water supplies. In Chile and Argentina, conflicts with indigenous communities over water rights and environmental impacts have arisen.
Alternatives: Research into alternative battery technologies like sodium-ion batteries and increased recycling of lithium batteries can help reduce dependence.
Applications: Cerium is used in catalysts for the automotive industry, glass and ceramics manufacturing, and metallurgy. It also plays a role in phosphors and oil refining. Cerium is important for high-performance optics in military and aerospace technology and in nuclear power as a component of control rods and moderators.
Extraction: Cerium is primarily extracted from monazite and bastnäsite ores through chemical processes.
Major Producing Countries and Reserves: China dominates cerium production, followed by the USA and India. Global reserves are estimated at about 110 million tonnes. Ukraine does not have significant cerium reserves.
Challenges and Impacts: The extraction of cerium and other rare earth elements in China is associated with significant environmental pollution from toxic waste. Additionally, social tensions arise due to land expropriation and deteriorating living conditions in mining areas.
Alternatives: Increasing recycling rates and developing new catalyst and phosphor technologies that require less or no cerium are potential ways to reduce dependence.
Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Strategies
The processing of beryllium poses significant health risks. Protecting workers through strict safety regulations and modern ventilation systems, as well as developing more environmentally friendly extraction methods, are necessary to reduce environmental and health impacts.
Illegal mining and associated environmental problems in Africa can be mitigated by implementing certification programs and promoting sustainable mining practices. The international community must focus on importing only conflict-free minerals.
Extracting lithium from salt lakes consumes large amounts of water and can affect local water supplies. Using technologies for water recycling and reducing water consumption, as well as increasing lithium battery recycling rates, can mitigate environmental impacts
The processing of cerium generates toxic waste, often poorly managed. Developing closed-loop systems, minimizing waste, and safely storing toxic substances can significantly reduce environmental impacts.
