EIT RawMaterials has revealed it will inject €100m funding to support high-impact raw materials projects in Europe.
Announced at the sixth annual edition of the Raw Materials Summit, the funding will help boost Europe’s Raw materials ecosystem and add to over €200m of funding already invested for the 2023-25 period.
EIT RawMaterials has deployed €600m in strategic funding since 2016, helping to support various research projects, technology start-ups and scale-ups, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The latest investments will be crucial in further boosting the European raw materials ecosystem as the EU strives to achieve climate and energy goals.
Bernd Schäfer, the CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, emphasised the long-term value of these investments.
He said: “We are sending a message to stakeholders across the raw materials ecosystem that the moment to invest is at hand.
“This is not only a major investment in its own right; we believe that every Euro we invest is a multiplier that will enable further direct and indirect investments up to ten times the value.
“We are working to translate the vision of the Critical Raw Materials Act into tangible action and impact.”
Targeting high impact projects
The funding will be allocated via a ‘call’ mechanism that will invite high-impact projects, including research organisations, universities, start-ups, prominent industry leaders, and consortia.
For outstanding projects, EIT RawMaterials will create a fast-track call approach to accelerate funding.
Growing Europe’s raw materials ecosystem
EIT RawMaterials’ investments in the European raw materials sector have helped support over 600 projects and start-ups.
This fiscal backing has driven a further €500m from the markets and resulted in cumulative direct funding of over €1bn.
The funding has helped develop more than 1,400 pilot plants, demonstration projects, and technology prototypes, launching over 260 products and services.
Investing in the European Workforce
EIT RawMaterials programmes have educated and upskilled over 40,000 learners across various levels, fostering a workforce capable of driving innovation and competitiveness in the European raw materials sector.
To further enhance education and skills, EIT RawMaterials is launching the Raw Materials Academy, which will focus on upskilling, reskilling, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Join the Raw Materials Summit
The annual Raw Materials Summit is Europe’s premier event for the entire raw materials value chain and runs from May 15-16.
The event unites the European Commission, EU member states, global industry leaders, financial institutions, start-ups, innovators, researchers, academics, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
The 2024 summit was inaugurated by European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, featuring insights from over 65 industry and policy leaders and attracting nearly 1,000 attendees.
Thore Sekkenes, European Battery Alliance Program Director at EIT InnoEnergy, highlights the importance of EIT InnoEnergy’s One-Stop-Shop for providing guidance to SMEs about efficient access to public funding.
In Europe’s energy transition, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are emerging as catalysts for innovation within the battery industry.
With their capacity for rapid adaptation, SMEs can drive significant advancements in battery technology.
However, despite their potential, accessing funding and navigating Europe’s complex financial landscape must be overcome.
Services like EIT InnoEnergy’s One-Stop-Shop to EU finance play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. This service offers tailored guidance to simplify access to public funding across the battery value chain so that SMEs can reach their full potential in the energy sector.
To learn more about the potential of the One-Stop-Shop service, we spoke to Thore Sekkenes, European Battery Alliance Program Director at EIT InnoEnergy.
Can you elaborate on the important role of battery SMEs in Europe’s wider energy transition?
When it comes to implementing changes, smaller companies tend to be quicker compared to larger ones.
While larger companies possess greater resources and infrastructure, they often find it more challenging to pivot due to their established processes and systems. Conversely, SMEs, often associated with agility, exhibit a greater ability for adapting and innovating.
Large companies, however, are aware that they need to adapt to drive change.
They seek out SMEs, recognising their potential for innovation, and invest in supporting their evolution. This strategy allows larger enterprises to leverage the agility and fresh perspectives of smaller entities to drive broader organisational change.
What challenges do SMEs face regarding access to public funding?
First, establishing credibility is vital; it’s what inspires trust and prompts individuals to entrust their funds for investment purposes.
Public funding is very important in establishing credibility. Relying solely on personal funds may raise questions among potential investors regarding the breadth of financial support.
Ensuring sound financial arrangements not only facilitates current operations but also instils confidence in prospective investors.
Another aspect to bear in mind is proficiency in fundraising, which isn’t necessarily synonymous with technical expertise.
You might excel as a technician or scientist yet lack the know-how to navigate the intricacies of fundraising – knowing whom to approach, how to network effectively, or how to access public funds. These are distinct skill sets.
As implied by their size, small companies typically have limited resources. Hiring key personnel tends to focus on their core expertise rather than on financial matters, particularly in technology-driven companies.
Because of this, companies need to hire individuals with diverse skill sets, including HR professionals, process specialists, and finance experts.
It is important to have experts who understand the intricacies of financial navigation.
What motivated the development of the One-Stop-Shop?
The concept of a One-Stop-Shop is essential. The One-Stop-Shop aims to firstly streamline navigation through the complex public funding landscape, and secondly, to provide tailored guidance based on the applicant’s profile and stage of development.
Public funding in Europe is particularly complex.
The landscape is intricate, given the multitude of Member States, the EU’s overarching role, and the varying stages of development across regions. There are a plethora of tools available for different stages, both public and private, spanning from early-stage to development phases. This complexity underscores the need for a One-Stop-Shop aiming to assist SMEs in navigating this intricate terrain.
Secondly, it’s essential to acknowledge that not all companies are alike. What works for one may not necessarily be suitable for another due to factors such as geographical location, position within the value chain, or the stage of development.
The One-Stop-Shop directs individuals to relevant public funding programs which are the best fit for them and even offers training courses to enhance their efficacy in securing funding.
From the financing entity’s perspective, it’s crucial to avoid investing time and resources in applicants who may not be the right fit or who aren’t adequately prepared to receive funding.
A key function of the One-Stop-Shop is to assess the maturity level of companies seeking assistance. If an application indicates that the applicant lacks the readiness or capability to answer crucial questions, it’s a clear indication of their maturity level.
In such cases, the One-Stop-Shop ensures that the applicant is redirected appropriately, preventing them from consuming the time of entities with more pressing responsibilities. This scrutiny in the process ensures that immature companies receive guidance on prerequisites before engaging with potential financiers, while mature companies are directed towards suitable avenues for their financing needs, such as scaling up operations.
This approach aims to streamline the process and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
The One-Stop-Shop accelerates the vetting process for private investors, signalling that certain credibility benchmarks have been achieved, thereby facilitating subsequent investment decisions.
Once a case has been evaluated, what services will they receive?
We offer training sessions, particularly for those interested in the Innovation Fund.
This is designed to help applicants navigate relevant aspects of the funding landscape, tailored to their needs. Our goal is to provide clear guidance on the most pertinent areas of interest.
For those companies with exceptional potential, we offer additional support through EIT InnoEnergy, providing a fast track for their development.
Although this isn’t the major aspect of the One-Stop-Shop, we closely monitor promising projects and may offer individualised assistance when necessary. This is at the top end of the scale.
How does the European Battery Alliance ensure that companies within the battery industry consider the entire value chain when developing their products?
An examination of the entire value chain is of great importance to the European Battery Alliance.
If this approach is not taken, a company could examine one segment without considering upstream or downstream aspects, becoming vulnerable. Someone opening a mine is just as welcome as someone in the battery recycling sphere.
Companies from different aspects of the value chain are welcome to the One-Stop-Shop as well. Focusing on the entire value chain is key to our success.
The launch of the EBA Raw Material Fund underscores the significance of upstream activities. While considerable attention is rightfully placed on manufacturers, it’s crucial to acknowledge that their operations are wholly reliant on the accessibility of raw materials necessary for anode and cathode production.
Upstream and, to some extent, downstream are the two weakest parts of the value chain.
No chain is stronger than its weakest link, so focusing on the entire value chain is important for the raw materials sector as a whole.
Through streamlined financing mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises across the whole value chain, the One-Stop-Shop will help the battery industry work towards a sustainable future.
Zeus North America Mining Corp. has qualified to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market in the US, which is operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc.
Zeus North America Mining Corp. (formerly Umdoni Exploration Inc.) has commenced trading on the OTCQB under the symbol ZUUZF with an effective date of 30 April 2024.
The company has also secured Depository Trust Company eligibility for its common trades in the US.
Zeus’ common shares continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ZEUS.
Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Zeus has also announced the listing of its common shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the symbol O92.
The company officially began trading on the FSE on 17 April 2024 as part of its expansion into European investment markets.
With its status as a prominent European listing venue, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange plays an important role in facilitating trading activities, handling around 90% of all securities traded within Germany.
Companies listing on the FSE often aim to enhance shareholder accessibility and foster investment opportunities for a global audience of investors.
Dean Besserer, President and CEO of Zeus, said: “Both the Frankfurt and the OTCQB listing with DTC eligibility will allow Zeus to broaden its shareholder base in the US and abroad, as well as provide market awareness and increased liquidity as we continue to explore our portfolio of 100% owned copper and copper-gold properties in the US.”
About the OTCQB
The OTCQB offers early-stage and developing US and international companies the benefits of being publicly traded in the US.
The OTCQB helps companies build shareholder value with the goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving fair valuation.
US investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.
The company’s listing on the CSE and trading of its shares on the OTCQB contribute to a larger global presence and offer investors preeminent access to trading.
Hon Grace Grace from the Queensland Government outlines the objectives and benefits of the State’s Battery Industry Strategy.
Queensland is poised to become a leader in the global battery industry as it launched its comprehensive five-year strategy.
The strategy, which aims to capitalise on the state’s abundant critical minerals and mining expertise, is focused on fostering innovation, driving investment, and promoting Queensland as a hub for advanced materials and battery production.
With a targeted investment of $570m across key themes, Queensland is primed to create thousands of jobs and generate substantial economic activity while advancing its renewable energy and sustainability goals.
Hon Grace Grace, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Racing at the Queensland Government, explores the objectives, implementation plan, and anticipated benefits of Queensland’s Battery Industry Strategy.
What is the primary objective of the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy?
This five-year strategy will implement new and existing initiatives to make the Sunshine State the nation’s battery industry leader and ensure our communities benefit directly from the job and economic opportunities this will bring.
How is Queensland positioned to help grow a sustainable battery supply chain?
As the world moves towards net zero, global demand for batteries will increase by tenfold by 2030.
The Queensland Government’s 75% emissions reduction target, enshrined in law, supports the investment certainty to build a battery industry here in Queensland, which will supply not just Australia but the world.
To date, we have supported $11bn of investment in renewables and 8,500 construction jobs.
Now is the time for us to capitalise on the opportunities energy storage offers due to the transformation of global energy systems.
Why is developing a battery supply chain in Queensland important to the state?
Our Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy (QNIDS) identifies the battery industry as a priority sector with the potential to generate up to $1.3bn of economic activity and 9,100 jobs by 2030.
This can be achieved by building upon Queensland’s critical minerals and mining expertise and by attracting value-adding investment in mineral refining, processing and advanced material and cell manufacturing.
It will mean investment, economic growth, and more jobs for regions across our state.
How does the distribution of funding across the three key themes reflect the strategic priorities outlined in the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy?
The Queensland Battery Industry Strategy targets approximately $570m in new and existing funding across three key themes:
$275m to support industry to innovate and commercialise battery technologies, including $105m in state funding to plan and establish the Australian Battery Industrialisation Centre in partnership with the Australian Government.
$92.2m to drive battery investment and supply chain growth, including an $80m industry grant programme.
$202.5m to promote and position Queensland as the preferred supplier of advanced materials and batteries to domestic and international markets, including $5m to establish Batteries Queensland, a central point of contact for industry to connect with relevant government agencies and access support.
The three major themes within the strategy reflect research findings and valuable industry and stakeholder input. In particular, the importance of collaboration is reflected in the actions and implementation plan.
Importantly, Queensland’s regions will play a major role in successfully delivering this strategy, with huge dividends expected through the creation of new jobs, more economic growth, and long-term prosperity.
Working with our partners at the local and national government levels, Queensland will focus on building out the battery industry supply chain to meet global demand for high-quality battery materials and grow local cell manufacturing capabilities.
How will the strategy help to maximise Queensland’s critical minerals potential and align with broader state or national goals related to renewable energy and sustainability?
There are more than 70 known resources of major battery minerals in three hubs across Queensland: the North West Minerals Province, North East Minerals Province, and the central region.
Growing these capabilities to extract even greater value from our resources will enable us to supply advanced battery materials to local and international battery manufacturers.
The Queensland Government is maximising the opportunities opening-up through decarbonisation and a clean energy future.
Can you outline how the strategy will be implemented over the next five years?
The Queensland Government is working with business, industry, and research institutes to realise opportunities and create a diverse and dynamic battery sector to support Queensland’s transition to reach zero net emissions by 2050.
Over the next five years, the strategy will benefit from approximately $570m in investment, positioning Queensland to be at the forefront of battery technology development and commercialisation.
What are the anticipated benefits associated with the implementation of the strategy?
There has already been significant progress and substantial investment made to support battery manufacturing, including investment in battery projects across the state including the Queensland Energy Storage and Technology Hub facility at Banyo, Alpha HPA in Gladstone and Vecco in Townsville.
The strategy is a five-year action plan to supercharge growth as the world decarbonises and strengthens Queensland’s position as a globally competitive investment destination.
This could translate to more than 9,100 jobs and contribute $1.3bn to our economy by 2030.
Battery recycling pioneer Cirba Solutions details how the company is championing a strategic, regional approach to reinforce the circular battery supply chain worldwide.
When you consider the battery recycling industry, there are global challenges that multiple countries and companies are working to solve and make advancements in, including:
Supporting the growing demand for critical minerals needed for the circular battery supply chain.
Sustainably recovering critical battery metals for new battery production through recycling.
Currently, battery recycling efforts are being led by China, Europe, and North America. While China has been seen as the leader in the space for many years, North America has now emerged as a global competitor in sustainable content, along with Europe.
One leading organisation, Cirba Solutions, has shown how the sector can be successful and grow outside of China.
Increasing battery demand
The demand for batteries is growing, and with that demand comes a need for more sustainable solutions in the supply chain. For example:
2040 International Energy Agency (IEA) demand projections include more than a 40x increase for lithium and 20x-25x for other battery minerals (i.e., cobalt, nickel).
S. cathode manufacturing capacity is expected to increase 6x in size between 2022 and 2032.
EV battery demand is expected to account for 80% – 90% of global cobalt and lithium demand and 45% – 65% of manganese demand (IEA).
As a result of this, a hype cycle took place because the circular battery supply chain must grow to make advancements in the marketplace to meet this growing demand.
Credit: Cirba Solutions
During that time, multiple companies entered the space to aid in solving the global battery supply chain challenge. Furthermore, with all of these projections, it’s clear that recycled battery materials are playing an increasingly important part in the critical mineral supply chain.
How Cirba Solutions elevates the circular battery supply chain
Their plan to achieve this started by building the largest footprint in North America, with six strategically located battery recycling facilities. The company is on a substantial growth trajectory as it continues to work with customers in key global markets.
With its long-standing history in battery recycling, Cirba Solutions has seen this industry evolve through all its phases, including battery chemistries being adopted into the marketplace. Perhaps none have been as interesting as the past few years.
Moving battery recycling forward
One way Cirba Solutions is serving the regions is through its transportation services. Transportation accounts for 29% of CO2 emissions, according to the DOE, and is the number one contributor to greenhouse gases.
An electric vehicle battery can account for up to 60% of embedded greenhouse gas emissions in EV production. Additionally, it is estimated that in some cases, critical battery metals for cathode active materials travel over 50,000 miles before they reach a cell factory – creating a massive CO2 footprint.
By providing regional sustainable content, Cirba Solutions can potentially reduce 98% of the miles that critical materials must travel.
Credit: Cirba Solutions
This reduction in travel, because of the company’s multiple locations, contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and logistical costs by sourcing critical minerals domestically.
It also removes the CO2 from virgin mining and provides domestically sourced and produced critical metals that support the creation of a circular battery supply chain.
What matters now and what is happening as we move forward
Now, there is a gap with those companies that entered the industry during the hype cycle phase because execution to scale is not as simple as expected.
With the World Bank estimating that the demand for critical minerals will increase by nearly 500% by 2050, companies in the industry need to prove they can execute safely on a commercial scale.
Based on all of this, it’s clear that the circular battery supply chain will drive the future. With EV adoption and the result that the supply and demand curves of critical minerals forecast, by sourcing domestically, and specifically recycling and reusing these critical minerals, we can significantly impact cost and the CO2 footprint.
With Cirba Solutions’ six strategically located operational facilities that will enable a locally-sourced, closed-loop supply of these critical minerals – we can already achieve a greater than 96% reduction in our CO2 footprint.
Based in Vienna, the Austrian Institute of Technology is leading the European Union RecAL project that focuses on aluminium recycling for sustainability and resource efficiency.
The Recycling technologies for circular Aluminium (RecAL) project aims to develop aluminium recycling technologies and a digital platform for a circular economy in the industry.
The project, funded by Horizon Europe, brings together 19 partner organisations from nine European countries.
The initiative aims to usher in a new era of sustainable aluminium production and reuse by creating the RecAL Hub, a digital cockpit that enables the circular economy of aluminium recyclates across the continent.
The potential of aluminium recycling
Aluminium recycling has enormous potential and only requires 5% of the energy needed to produce primary material.
As aluminium plays a prominent role in decarbonisation across the globe, the RecAL project is working in line with the European Green Deal to exploit the potential of the raw material in an environmentally friendly yet efficient way.
What are the barriers to aluminium recycling?
One of the challenges in recycling aluminium is that the metal is alloyed with a variety of other elements that are almost impossible to separate again.
The current practice of mixing different end-of-life alloys leads to downcycling and a reduction in available feedstock.
Europe has a rich potential for secondary aluminium, expected to account for 49% of total aluminium production by 2050.
However, this source requires a central hub.
Aims of the RecAL project
The RecAL project takes a comprehensive approach to the sustainable use of secondary aluminium. The project addresses every step of the production and reuse cycle and solves challenges across the value chain.
RecAL is driving forward 14 major technological solutions for aluminium recycling up to technology readiness level 6. These are integrated into a digital, socio-technical ecosystem that acts as an aluminium hub for the circular economy.
“RecAL aims to fully exploit the immense potential of secondary aluminium resources in Europe, revolutionise recycling processes, address key challenges in alloy development and promote sustainable practices”, concluded project manager Gerald Prantl from the LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen.
In a concerted effort to tackle the challenges associated with securing public funding for Europe’s strategic battery sector, EIT InnoEnergy has partnered with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to introduce the groundbreaking service.
The initiative, developed under the European Battery Alliance (EBA) framework and unveiled at COP28, is poised to revolutionise how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigate the complex landscape of public financing within the battery value chain.
This initiative follows closely on the heels of the EBA Strategic Battery Materials Fund, introduced in January 2024, which leverages private finance to support early-stage projects upstream of the battery value chain.
Šefčovič commented: “Europe’s battery industry is of strategic importance and a key battleground for global competitiveness. Maximising Europe’s financing potential for the sector must be a priority to continue the growth of the value chain and accelerate the green transition.
“The One-Stop-Shop service can help enable more efficient deployment of public funds and address financing gaps in several segments of the battery value chain, from upstream activities such as raw and active materials to recycling of end-of-life products.”
Addressing funding hurdles
Recognising the pivotal role public funding plays in the fundraising journey of start-ups and scale-ups, the One-Stop-Shop service aims to streamline access to finance, thereby facilitating technology de-risking and bolstering investor confidence.
Despite the potential of public funding to catalyse private investment, SMEs often face formidable barriers, including disparate eligibility criteria and application procedures across various EU financing programmes.
Comprehensive support across the battery value chain
The programme, now open for applications, extends its support across the entire battery value chain, encompassing activities from raw materials extraction to recycling.
By focusing on investor readiness for key initiatives such as the EIC Accelerator, the Innovation Fund, and offerings from institutions like the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the One-Stop-Shop ensures a comprehensive approach to funding facilitation.
Key benefits for applicants
Successful applicants to the One-Stop-Shop will benefit from a range of services designed to enhance their access to EU finance programmes.
These include an introduction to available funding avenues, a rigorous assessment of the company’s business case, and tailored guidance to prepare for investor engagement.
Such support not only expedites the funding process but also strengthens the overall viability and attractiveness of SMEs to potential investors.
Thore Sekkenes, EBA Programme Director at InnoEnergy, added: “Securing EU public funding is a quality seal for many private investors and a key component to continue boosting growth in rapidly growing sectors like batteries.
“But start-ups and scale-ups often battle with lengthy and complex processes which necessitate time and resources that industry newcomers do not have to spare.
“The One-Stop-Shop will bring greater speed, simplicity and clarity to the application process for scale-ups and increase chances of benefitting from public funding.”
The service heralds a new era of accessibility and support for SMEs operating within the battery value chain.
By simplifying access to public funding and fortifying investor readiness, this initiative is poised to accelerate the growth and innovation of Europe’s strategic battery sector.
EIT RawMaterials has launched its latest booster call aimed at supporting European raw materials start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs.
The booster call will generate strategic investments into innovative businesses to reinforce the security and resilience of European raw materials supply chains.
The funding will enable businesses to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions.
Bernd Schäfer, CEO & Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, said: “The European raw materials industry is entering a transformative period, driven forward by the Critical Raw Materials Act, which sets the stage for a new era of growth for our sector.
“Building on this momentum, the EIT RawMaterials Booster Call is a key instrument to propel start-ups forward and to scale up their innovative ideas and technologies.
“With our increased investment capacity of up to €500,000 per case, we are excited to turbo-charge the European start-up ecosystem in the raw materials arena.”
Developing the European raw materials ecosystem
Since its inception in 2016, the EIT RawMaterials booster call has been carried out nine times.
With over 1,000 start-up applications received, more than 300 have been granted support, propelling their innovations towards significant breakthroughs.
The 2024 and 2025 booster call will unfold across four phases, during which EIT RawMaterials will allocate up to €500,000 to each chosen business case.
Additionally, strategic and financial assistance will be provided to expedite the advancement of these ventures.
Who can apply?
Applications from three categories are invited:
Responsible sourcing: Pioneering mineral exploration and processing to fuel Europe’s sustainable future
Sustainable materials: Harnessing and recycling eco-friendly raw materials to power green transportation and energy solutions
Circular society: Spearheading the shift towards a circular economy to drive economic prosperity and achieve carbon neutrality
These include start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs that:
Are a legally registered entity in an EU member state or associated countries under Horizon Europe
Offer a solution pertinent to one of the innovation themes surrounding raw materials
Possess a dedicated founding/management team committed full-time to the company for at least the next five years
Have a product or service validated by customers, reaching at least Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4), demonstrating a proven market demand
Demonstrate an average time to market and revenue generation of 2-3 years
Target a substantial and scalable market with significant growth potential
Seek additional support in the form of value-added services and financial advisory services
Is actively seeking an equity partner
EIT RawMaterials’ booster call stands as a major opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe, signalling a commitment to fortify and revitalise the European raw materials sector.
Researchers at Macquarie University have revealed how critical minerals can be transported from the Earth’s interior mantle.
The critical minerals used in renewable energy technologies can be transported from within the Earth’s interior mantle by low-temperature carbonate melts.
Published in Science Advances, the findings have the potential to contribute to global mineral exploration efforts.
Carbon melts carry a range of critical minerals
Led by Dr Isra Ezad, a postdoctoral research fellow from Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences, the team carried out high-pressure and high-temperature experiments to create small amounts of molten carbonate material.
This was done in conditions similar to those around 90 kilometres depth in the mantle, below the Earth’s crust.
The study showed that carbonate melts can dissolve and carry a range of critical minerals and compounds from surrounding rocks in the mantle. This will inform future metal prospecting.
“We knew that carbonate melts carried rare earth elements, but this research goes further,” said Dr Ezad.
“We show this molten rock containing carbon takes up sulphur in its oxidised form, while also dissolving precious and base metals – ‘green’ metals of the future – extracted from the mantle.”
Carbonate melts enriched in sulphur may be more widespread than thought previously
Most of the rock that lies deep in the Earth’s crust and below in the mantle is silicate in composition.
However, a fraction of a percentage of these deep rocks contains carbon and water, causing them to melt at lower temperatures than other portions of the mantle.
Carbonate melts transport base metals and precious metals, distilling these metals into potential deposits.
“Our findings suggest carbonate melts enriched in sulphur may be more widespread than previously thought, and can play an important role in concentrating metal deposits,” said Dr Ezad.
Two natural mantle compositions
The team used two natural mantle compositions, a mica pyroxenite from western Uganda and fertile spinel Iherzolite from Cameroon.
The team found that thicker continental crust regions form in older inland regions of continents, where they act as a sponge to soak up carbon and water.
“Carbon-sulphur melts appear to dissolve and concentrate these metals within discrete mantle regions, moving them into shallower crustal depths, where dynamic chemical processes can lead to ore deposit formation,” Dr Ezad said.
A new critical mineral exploration space
The study shows that tracking carbonate melts could give us a better understanding of large-scale metal redistribution and ore formation processes.
“As the world transitions away from fossil fuels to battery, wind and solar technology, demand for these essential metals is skyrocketing, and it’s becoming harder to find reliable sources,” said Dr Ezad.
“This new data provides us with a mineral exploration space previously not considered for base and precious metals – deposits from carbonate melts,” she concluded.
As a proud media partner of the Raw Materials Summit, presented by EIT RawMaterials, Innovation News Network is pleased to announce that tickets for the summit are now available.
The Raw Materials Summit 2024, Europe’s leading conference in the raw materials sector, will take place from 14 to 16 May 2024 at The Egg conference venue in Brussels.
Featuring top-tier guest Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President, European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, the summit will bring together stakeholders, OEMs, and suppliers to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and explore a shared vision for a reliable, low-carbon and economically viable raw materials sector.
The summit is expected to inspire a new era of innovation, collaboration, and optimism, propelling the raw materials sector and its connected industries to achieve a more sustainable and resilient future.
It will highlight the indispensable role of education and innovation in the context of future skills needs and the opportunities to strengthen and build on Europe’s technological advantages.
Network with over 1,000 experts across industry, academia, and policymaking
The Raw Materials Summit is one of the industry’s key global gatherings. It is set to draw over 1,000 participants from across industry, academia, research, policymaking, and the industry’s most prominent startups.
The summit provides the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with the brightest minds in the field.
Insightful debates on the most pressing issues in the raw materials sector
Attendees will witness lively and insightful debates on some of the most pressing issues in Europe’s raw materials sector.
Topics include current geopolitical shifts, supply chain complexities, emerging collaborative ventures set to transform industries, and the impact of the latest domestic and trade policies stemming from the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Discover the latest innovations from over 30 European start-ups
The Innovation Village is returning to this year’s summit to showcase the latest innovations from over 30 start-ups in Europe.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet upcoming talent that is creating sustainable solutions for the raw materials sector.
Obtain a member discount of 10% by using our code INNMP10
