Knowing the origin of the metals in a mobile phone or electric car helps manufacturers and consumers make informed choices when purchasing raw materials or technological products. Nordic geoscientists are now attempting to crack the code for tracing rare earth elements.
In collaboration with the national geological surveys of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland, NGU researchers have studied how certain isotopes and trace elements can be tracked through the value chain, from mining to the finished product.
Today, the concept study is being launched, introducing new chemical methods for tracing rare earth elements, from extraction to technology production.
-Better traceability can lead to greater transparency and raise awareness about the ethical and environmental issues associated with the raw materials in the technologies we use today, says Henrik Schiellerup, Director of Resources and Environment at NGU.
The "unique" signatures of the minerals
A mobile phone can contain nearly 60 different metals, but the production and secure supply of many of these metals is a geopolitically sensitive issue.
By tracking the unique "fingerprints" of mineral deposits, researchers may have discovered a method to trace extraction through key parts of the value chain, from ore deposits to the final product.
-We investigated rare earth deposits including Kringlerne in Greenland, Norra Kärr in Sweden,
Fen in Norway and Sokli in Finland. The results demonstrate that, the only geo-signatures that
survive the entire refining and manufacturing process are certain trace elements and
isotopes. These results will help increase the reliability of the traceability together with
advanced document-based solutions, says Xuan Liu, senior researcher at the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).
A shared database for primary and secondary raw materials
According to the Directorate of Mining, Norway's mineral extraction industry produces over 15 million tons of "unsellable" material annually. How these materials, which are currently non-commercial, are mapped, classified, and managed, and how knowledge is shared to enable their future use as "secondary raw materials," is crucial for more sustainable mineral production. Can old waste gain new value?
-We need more data and research to better understand and utilize mining waste and other surplus materials. We've developed a system to map these resources using modern technology, and we are making this data available through our mapping services and databases. This can help increase the percentage of materials that are recycled, reducing the carbon footprint across the entire value chain, explains Schiellerup.
The research program is one of eight initiatives launched by the five Nordic trade ministers in 2021, aiming to make the Nordics the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The project is coordinated by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).
Other partners include the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU), Iceland GeoSurvey (ÍSOR), the Government of Greenland, the Directorate of Mining (DMF), and the University of Iceland.
Project reports
Mineral to Metal Traceability | Nordic Innovation
A Proof-Of-Concept Study of Rare Earth Elements in the Nordic Region.
Information Management and Classification | Nordic Innovation
Secondary Resources and their Critical Raw Material Potential in the Nordic Countries.
Learn how geoscientists can trace critical metals, and collect data from secondary raw materials.