Mines: towards new sustainability standards for the exploitation of rare earths Metals – DRC

Rare earth producers are in the process of developing a unique set of global environmental standards specific to this industry and which should come into force in 2021. The DRC, which is one of the producers of rare earths, will have to align itself in order to find outlets for the export of these raw materials.

Under consumer pressure, the rare earth industry and standardize environmental standards in the exploitation of these raw materials. Indeed, manufacturers of products such as electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) are themselves under pressure from consumers to push their suppliers to impose sustainability standards – and some, like German automaker BMW, are trying. to do without it completely.

Since there is no unified framework for rare earths, producers currently have to navigate several standards and requirements, said Badrinath Veluri, president of the World Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA), reports Mining News Pro.

“Manufacturers of products close to the customers demand sustainability, but every region is different so it becomes very confusing and difficult to compare,” he said.

Note that rare earths are a collection of 17 related heavy metals, typically found widely dispersed rather than in concentrated deposits, and used in products ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles and in industrial processes.

Refining rare earth ore into individual elements is a complex operation, involving solvents and toxic wastes that must be disposed of carefully to avoid pollution.

China, which dominates global production, said last year it had closed more than 1,300 heavy metal companies since 2016 to reduce widespread chronic soil pollution.

“To create a level playing field, downstream actors play a vital role. If there is a single standard and unified methodology, the upstream actors will accept it much more easily,” Veluri said.

The global association, founded last year, is developing a global sustainability framework to be rolled out next year and plans to use an integrated blockchain tool to boost transparency, said Veluri, who works as a specialist. magnetic materials from the water pump manufacturer Grundfos in Denmark.

REIA has had discussions with companies all along the “value chain”, from miners to manufacturers of consumer goods. This is particularly the automotive industry, which is moving more and more towards electric vehicles, whose motors generally require magnets based on rare earths.

REIA plans to use the standards developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Organization for Standardization as the basis of its sustainability framework.