PHYTOMINING OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REE) AS A METHOD OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES

Abstract

Commercial mining of elements is usually based on very enriched ores and requires large financial outlays.
Ores revealing high concentrations of metals and non-metals rarely occur in nature. On the other hand, the suband low- grade ore bodies are localized in many parts of world, but their use in conventional mining is not profitable. An increasing demand for mineral resources imposed the need for a search of new mining methods that could employ sub- and low-grade ores. Innovative biotechnology techniques could provide the solution to this problem. Some of the endemic plant species are able to accumulate extremely high concentrations of elements and are known as hyperaccumulators. The process of uptake elements from the soil by hyperaccumulators is called phytoextraction and can be used in phytomining. Phytomining method is based on planting the hyperaccumulator crops over a low and sub-grade ores or mineralized soils, harvesting and burning yields to produce commercial bio-ore. Phytomining is known as compatible with contemporary green trends and sustainable development. This method has been used since the 80s of the last century, initially, it was only applied to recover nickel from burned plant biomass. Currently is used for a wider range of elements (e.g. Tl, Co, Ag, Au), as well as for the rare earth elements (REE). REE are metals from La to Lu recognized as crucial for the development of modern economy. This article presents the most important aspects of phytomining of REE, its profitability, the advantages and disadvantages of the method and its development prospects in the near future.