The new metals and minerals used in industry and services with high technological content, rare earths between opportunities and exploitation
In recent years, the development of new products and new technologies in industry has accentuated the exploitation of many minerals and metals in recent years, often with serious environmental and human implications in many countries of the world. These minerals and metals are mainly used in high-tech manufacturing, electronics, energy, defence, aerospace and transport, medicine and pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, artificial intelligence and robotics.
THE NEW 'HIGH-TECH' MINERALS: COBALT
Among the main minerals used in the production of new technologies is cobalt, about half of the world's reserves of which are located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese share of world production is about 70%, with an annual growth rate of about 20% from 1995 to 2020, thanks to the major investments made by Chinese companies since the mid-2000s, to which much of the mined ore goes.
WHAT RARE EARTHS ARE
Among the new metals and minerals are the so-called rare earths, composed of seventeen elements, which also have various uses in the production of particular items in high-tech industry. Their extraction from rocks involves an acid process, which has major implications in terms of environmental contamination in the mining or processing areas.
WHERE RARE EARTHS ARE FOUND IN THE WORLD
The largest deposits are in Asia, particularly in China, Africa, South America, Canada, Australia and Russia. In Europe, the most significant rare earth deposit is in Kiruna in Sweden, while others are in Greenland, Norway and Finland. China is the most cost-competitive country in the extraction and processing of rare earths, while Australia has the most efficient infrastructure. India has established specific parks for rare earth processing (the main one in Bophal).
AFRICA'S ROLE
In order to protect domestic markets, many economies have taken specific initiatives, strengthening the processing industry and ensuring maximum profit locally by banning or limiting the export of minerals and metals in their raw state. Using government or supranational funding, some African economies have been able to develop plants for the production process of batteries for electric vehicles (Uganda, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo), for magnets for wind power plants (Kenya and in South Africa). The African Continental Free Trade Agreement will provide impetus to diversify and expand the production capacity of African economies, not only for manufactured goods for clean energy production and automotive, but also in telephony, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.
SOURCE: USGS – US Geological Survey, US Department of the Interior