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The HREE Billion-Dollar Boom: How Heavy Rare Earth Elements are Powering the Future

The HREE Billion-Dollar Boom: How Heavy Rare Earth Elements are Powering the Future

Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) such as dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium are critical for various advanced technologies, from renewable energy systems to high-performance electronics. Recent developments and discoveries in the field highlight both the opportunities and challenges in meeting industry demands sustainably and ethically.

Introduction

HREEs are indispensable for many modern technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and advanced electronics. The demand for these elements has increased significantly with the growing emphasis on green technologies. This paper provides an updated analysis of the current state of the HREE industry, considering recent scientific and market developments.

Global Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Dynamics

Global Âé¶¹Ô­´´ for Heavy Rare Earth Elements

The global market for Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) was valued at approximately US$ 1.56 billion in 2023. It is forecasted to reach a readjusted size of about US$ 2.33 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43%Ìýfrom 2024 to 2030.ÌýChina remains the dominant global HREE market, accounting for a significant portion of the production. However, recent discoveries in the United States, particularly in Wyoming, are poised to challenge this dominance. The Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming has revealed substantial deposits, potentially the largest in North America, which could reduce reliance on Chinese imports and stabilize supply chains.

Regional Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Breakdown

  1. North America

    • 2023 Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Value: US$ 0.33 billion
    • 2030 Forecast Value: US$ 0.49 billion
    • CAGR (2024-2030): 6.35%
  2. Asia-Pacific

    • 2023 Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Value: US$ 0.98 billion
    • 2030 Forecast Value: US$ 1.50 billion
    • CAGR (2024-2030): 6.79%
  3. Europe

    • 2023 Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Value: US$ 0.23 billion
    • 2030 Forecast Value: US$ 0.31 billion
    • CAGR (2024-2030): 5.09%

Key Âé¶¹Ô­´´ Players

The leading companies in the global HREE market include:

  • China Rare Earth Group
  • Shenghe Resources Holdings
  • Xiamen Tungsten Industry
  • Northern Minerals

As of 2023, the three largest players in the market hold a combined revenue share of approximately 72.80%.

American Rare Earths' Halleck Creek Project Development

American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR) has successfully raised A$13.5 million (US$8.7 million) through a placement to further develop eco-sensitive and cost-effective extraction and processing methods at their flagship Halleck Creek project in Wyoming.

Key Points:

  1. Funding and Development Goals:

    • The raised capital will advance the Halleck Creek project towards development.
    • The primary aim is to deliver a secure supply of critical minerals to the North American supply chain.
  2. Mineral Resource Estimate Update:

    • ARR updated the mineral resource estimate for Halleck Creek, showing a 64% increase in in-situ tonnage compared to the previous estimate.
    • The project now includes 2.34 billion tonnes of material grading 3,196 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO), containing 7.48 million tonnes of TREO.
    • The measured and indicated category saw a 128% increase, totaling 1.42 billion tonnes at a grade of 3,295 ppm TREO.
  3. Exploration and Drilling:

    • The update follows exploration from September to October 2023 and additional surface sampling and geological mapping.
    • From April 2022 through October 2023, the company drilled 70 holes totaling 9,031 meters.
  4. Future Plans:

    • Focus areas include extensional drilling, pre-feasibility studies, metallurgical test work, and process development.
    • Heritage, permitting, and environmental activities will also be prioritized.

Industrial Applications of Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs)

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Wind Turbines

Example: Dysprosium and Terbium in Magnets

  • Electric Vehicles: HREEs like dysprosium and terbium are critical for manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors. These elements help maintain the magnetic properties of neodymium-iron-boron magnets at high temperatures, which is essential for the efficiency and longevity of EV motors.
    • Tesla Motors: Uses neodymium magnets doped with dysprosium and terbium in their electric vehicle motors to enhance performance and efficiency​​.
  • Wind Turbines: The same types of magnets are also essential in wind turbines for generating electricity efficiently. The stability and performance of these magnets under various operational conditions are crucial for the reliability of wind energy systems.
    • GE Renewable Energy: Employs HREE-enhanced permanent magnets in their wind turbine generators to improve efficiency and reduce the size and weight of the turbines​​.

2. Advanced Electronics

Example: Yttrium in Displays

  • LCD and OLED Displays: Yttrium is used in phosphors for color displays and LEDs. It enhances the red color in TV and smartphone screens, contributing to better picture quality.
    • Samsung Electronics: Incorporates yttrium-based phosphors in their high-definition LED TVs and smartphone screens to improve color accuracy and brightness​​.

Example: Terbium in Solid-State Drives

  • Data Storage: Terbium is used in the production of solid-state drives (SSDs) due to its magnetic properties, which are crucial for data storage technology.
    • Intel: Utilizes terbium in the manufacturing of SSDs to increase data storage capacity and reliability, enhancing overall performance of computing systems​.

3. Medical Imaging and Devices

Example: Gadolinium in MRI Contrast Agents

  • Medical Imaging: Gadolinium is widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent. It enhances the quality of MRI images, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment planning.
    • GE Healthcare: Produces MRI machines and contrast agents containing gadolinium, which help in providing clear and detailed images for medical diagnosis​.

Example: Yttrium in Cancer Treatment

  • Radiotherapy: Yttrium-90, a radioactive isotope, is used in targeted radiotherapy for treating cancer. It delivers precise doses of radiation to tumors with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.
    • Sirtex Medical: Utilizes Yttrium-90 microspheres in their SIR-Spheres for selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), providing effective treatment for liver cancer.

4. Aerospace and Defense

Example: Erbium in Fiber Optics

  • Fiber Optic Communications: Erbium is used in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) to boost signal strength in long-distance fiber optic communications, which is critical for modern telecommunications.
    • Cisco Systems: Implements erbium-doped fiber amplifiers in their telecommunications infrastructure to enhance the performance and reliability of fiber optic networks​.

Example: Holmium in Laser Technologies

  • Laser Rangefinders and Medical Lasers: Holmium is used in solid-state lasers for rangefinding, medical procedures, and precision cutting in industrial applications.
    • Lumenis: Uses holmium lasers in their medical devices for procedures like lithotripsy and soft tissue ablation, offering precise and effective treatments​.
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