A new study has proposed a novel method of transporting critical metals from deep reservoirs in the Earth to the upper crust, which has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of mineral exploration.
The new finding could change the way mine sites are discovered and developed, and the metallurgical techniques used to extract critical metals from rocks.
The study, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, was a collaboration by researchers from The University of Western Australia and scientists from Spain and Italy.
Professor Marco Fiorentini, from UWA’s School of Earth Sciences, said the transition from fossil fuels to green energy and the increased demand for modern technology meant industry needed a much bigger supply of critical metals.
“This necessary transition will not be easy as it requires a change in the way we explore for and process the minerals that host critical metals,” Professor Fiorentini said.
“More social and environmental constraints will require mineral exploration to become more predictive, so the use of resources and impact on the environment can be minimised.
“The models that underpin exploration strategies for critical resources will need to be modernised as our understanding of the processes that transport and concentrate these metals advances.”
Professor Fiorentini said the study found a new way metals are transported from the deep inaccessible mantle and become concentrated in the crust of Earth, where they can be found and accessed.
“Our research has shown that an important metal component is transported physically, not chemically as previously thought, in the form of nanomelts that are only visible through sophisticated analytical techniques,” Professor Fiorentini said.
“This is the type of science that is needed to develop more efficient ways to target, characterise and process critical minerals to sustain our future.
“This means transforming the fundamental science that underpins exploration, processing and extraction of Australia’s critical resources.”
Professor Fiorentini said the UWA-led ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future aimed to use the research as a basis to train and sustain the skilled future workforce to drive the changes needed in practice and innovation in the resources sector.