2025, Vol. 12, No. 4. - go to content...

Permanent address of this page - https://resources.today/en/24nzor425.html

Метаданные этой статьи так же доступны на русском языке

DOI: 10.15862/24NZOR425 (https://doi.org/10.15862/24NZOR425)

Full article in PDF format (file size: 786.9 KB)

For citation:

Prituzhalova O.A., Zhovanik I.A., Zhovanik Yu.V. Extraction of rare earth elements from terrestrial and marine mineral sediments and waste: an environmental impact assessment. Russian journal of resources, conservation and recycling. 2025; 12(4). Available at: https://resources.today/PDF/24NZOR425.pdf (in Russian). DOI: 10.15862/24NZOR425

Extraction of rare earth elements from terrestrial and marine mineral sediments and waste: an environmental impact assessment

Prituzhalova Olga Alexandrovna
University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
E-mail: o.a.prituzhalova@utmn.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0720-9793
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=891523

Zhovanik Ilya Alexandrovich
University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
E-mail: i.a.zhovanik@utmn.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9233-4782
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=1228798

Zhovanik Yuliya Viktorovna
University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
E-mail: y.v.zhovanik@utmn.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4512-0788
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=1194928

Abstract. In the context of the scarcity of rare earth elements on the market, the question arises regarding the environmental feasibility of their extraction from secondary raw materials. The objective of this article is to compare the levels of negative environmental impact associated with the extraction of rare earth elements from primary and secondary raw materials, considering their entire life cycle.

Through a systematic analysis of data from current scientific literature, the key ecological risks characteristic of extracting rare earth elements from different types of raw materials have been identified. In terrestrial mining, the greatest risks stem from landscape transformation and chemical pollution of the environment. Concerns are raised by the radioactivity of primary raw materials, the formation of waste rock dumps and tailings storage facilities, emissions of dust and acid gases, and discharges of suspended solids, metals, acids, and alkalis in wastewater. Marine extraction of rare earth elements from deep-sea sediments and ferromanganese nodules involves the same polluting substances but affects different recipient objects. Primarily, it threatens the destruction of unique deep-sea ecosystems and impacts the water column and surface layers. Moreover, the zone of impact on the marine environment is significantly more extensive than in terrestrial mining, due to the formation of suspension plumes. Additionally, there is a lack of experience in mitigating impacts and reclaiming marine ecosystems at great depths. Extraction of rare earth elements from production and consumption waste offers several ecological advantages: the absence of radioactivity issues, the proximity of raw material sources to major cities, and a reduction in waste burial volumes. Furthermore, obtaining rare earth metals from waste helps to decrease the volumes of mineral extraction (and associated ecological risks), reduce dependence on raw material imports, and balance the market by alleviating shortages of critical rare earth elements.

Keywords: rare earth elements; environmental impact; recycling; urban mining; sustainable development; circular economy; resource saving

Download article in PDF format