Amid the energy transition, coal countries are seeking new ways to obtain rare earth minerals. Coal is by far one of the worst polluters on the planet. Pilot projects across North America are reducing the use of coal through new energy sources.

Coal, the mineral used to generate electricity (thermal) or make steel (metallurgical), is by far one of the worst polluters on the planet. Pilot projects across North America are reducing the use of coal through new energy sources, and could these rare earth minerals, driven by the energy transition, give coal countries a second life?

Tungsten West has ramped up the transformation of its Plymouth tungsten mine, a £45 million processing plant redevelopment that will bring hundreds of jobs to the local community. Over the next few months, new equipment will arrive and another building will be completed to complete the processing line at the Hemerdon mine in Plymouth.

Junior explorer Emu NL has explored tungsten (W) and gold (Au) mineralization during a recent drilling campaign on the Monte Cristo property at its flagship Badja gold project near Yalgoo, Western Australia.

According to a recent report from Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), production of key metallic and non-metallic minerals increased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the recovery of the domestic mining industry, with copper and molybdenum production increasing by more than 6% in 2021.

China has long had a strong presence in the rare earth industry, but after years of heavy mining, its share of global production and reserves has declined significantly. World reliance on Chinese rare earths is gradually slowing, but China is expected to continue to increase its production, exports, and pricing of rare earths through 2022, driven by increased global demand for clean energy.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

The prices of ammonium paratungstate (APT) and tungsten powder in the Chinese market remain stable temporarily on Feb. 10, 2022 when market trading keeps quiet on the whole. 

South African state-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) has launched a tender to replace its aging nuclear research reactor, Safari 1, and help maintain its position as one of the world's top producers of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for medical diagnostic imaging.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsuk said in an interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel that he will be ready to cooperate with Russia in the exploration of rare earth deposits.

Metal additive manufacturing is gaining popularity. Aluminum, bronze, chromium, stainless steel, iron and copper are just a few examples of the most commonly used metals. Some of these—often in the form of alloys—are already available for the additive manufacturing industry, and these elements are typically processed by laser powder bed melting or electron beam melting.