A groundbreaking study has found that the United States contains an estimated 11 million tons of rare earth elements, valued at $8.4 billion, trapped within its coal ash deposits. This discovery could significantly reduce America’s reliance on foreign imports and transform the country’s approach to sourcing critical minerals.
Coal ash, a byproduct left after burning coal for fuel, has long been considered industrial waste. However, scientists have now identified it as an abundant source of rare earth elements, which are crucial in manufacturing batteries, solar panels, and high-performance magnets.
The study, conducted at The University of Texas at Austin, estimates that the country’s coal ash contains eight times more rare earth elements than its known domestic reserves. This is the first national assessment of coal ash as a resource, presenting a new way to strengthen America’s supply of critical minerals.
Unlike traditional mining, coal ash extraction has a key advantage: the burning process has already separated the minerals from their original ore, reducing the need for energy-intensive refining steps. Regional variations in coal ash composition affect how easily the elements can be extracted, with some deposits being more viable than others.
Companies are now developing technology and workforce to extract rare earth elements from coal ash and mining byproducts. The U.S. has a major opportunity to reduce reliance on foreign sources and turn waste into a strategic national asset.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/rare-earth-worth-eight-billion-found