What's Happening?
Researchers from Universitas Bangka Belitung have discovered significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in former tin mining pits on Indonesia's Bangka Belitung Islands. The study, led by Mardiah and colleagues, utilized geological field
mapping, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and water chemistry measurements to identify REE concentrations, including cerium, lanthanum, yttrium, and neodymium. The findings suggest that younger, more acidic pits contain higher REE concentrations than older, weathered sites. This indicates that geology, mine age, and weathering history may help identify promising secondary sources of critical minerals. However, the study is exploratory and does not include mineralogy, metallurgical testing, or economic analysis, meaning further work is needed before any resource estimate can be made.
Why It's Important?
The study highlights the potential for historic mine waste and legacy tin operations to become valuable secondary sources of critical minerals. Indonesia's extensive history of tin mining has resulted in numerous tailings and abandoned pits, which could provide lower-impact sources of rare earth feedstock if economically recoverable mineralization is confirmed. This could have significant implications for the global supply chain of rare earth elements, which are crucial for various industries, including electronics, clean energy, and defense. However, investors should approach the findings cautiously, as the study is not a resource estimate and requires further exploration and economic evaluation.
