Unlocking Rare Earth Elements from the Earth Crust

该项目将探索在天然和工程热液系统中控制稀土元素(REE)流动性的机制。该项目将产生重要稀土赋存矿物的基本地球化学和热力学数据，从而显著提高我们量化复杂成矿和湿法冶金过程中稀土行为的能力。预期成果包括：透过加强对新稀土矿床形成的了解，促进新稀土矿床的发现；以及促进稀土矿石加工创新技术的优化及发展。这些知识和专业知识将帮助澳大利亚成为向碳中和经济转型提供稀土方面的世界领先者。

This project will explore the mechanisms controlling the mobility of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in natural and engineered hydrothermal systems. The project will generate essential geochemical and thermodynamic data of important REE host minerals, and thereby significantly improve our capacity to quantify the behaviour of REE during complex ore-forming and hydrometallurgical processes. The anticipated outcomes include: facilitate discovery of new REE deposits by improving understanding of their formation; and facilitate optimisation and development of innovative techniques for REE ore processing. This knowledge and expertise will help Australia to become a world leader in supplying REE for the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.