Rare Earth Elements in the Polymetallic Nodules – a New Challenge

摘要

The Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) carries out anrnexploration of laying grounds of polymetallic nodules in the arearnallotted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The mostrninteresting metals in the nodules from the economic point of view havernbeen considered manganese, nickel, copper and cobalt. A big lack ofrnthe Rare Earth Elements (REE) is observable on the world metalrnmarket in the past years. Several reports indicated REE as a criticalrnmineral, particularly the EU Report “Critical raw materials for the EU”rn(2010). Polymetallic nodules are a possible source of REE. Thereforernwe are facing a new challenge – to re-evaluate the polymetallic nodulesrnas a possible REE source.