KEY POINTS
- Limpopo project targets rare earth demand with 16 years of resources.
- Rainbow’s process innovates by recovering rare earths from phosphogypsum.
- Environmental rehabilitation strengthens South Africa’s sustainable development leadership.
A rare earths recovery project in Limpopo province, South Africa, is being celebrated as one of the most robust and reliable initiatives globally. It aims to address the rising global demand for rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for green energy technologies like renewable energy systems.
The project, led by Rainbow Rare Earths, focuses on a 25-million-ton gypsum stack located in Phalaborwa. This resource is expected to support the production of four important REEs, including neodymium and praseodymium, for 16 years. These elements are critical for making permanent magnets used in green energy applications. The project’s operating costs are among the lowest in the world, enabling it to stay profitable even when market prices are low.
According to a report by Mining Weekly, Rainbow CEO George Bennett emphasized the economic potential of the project during the Mintek@90 event. He pointed out that the project would have remained profitable even when prices for neodymium and praseodymium dropped to $47 per kilogram earlier this year. Prices have since risen to $60 per kilogram, with experts forecasting further increases in the future. “This is one of the most resilient rare earths projects in the world,” Bennett stated.
Pioneering technology and environmental rehabilitation
This project is the first to commercially recover REEs from phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate mining carried out by Foskor for over six decades. Rainbow has partnered with South Africa’s Council for Mineral Technology (Mintek) to create an innovative process for extracting REEs. A large-scale pilot plant, six to ten times larger than typical facilities, successfully completed testing in February, with further trials planned for early 2025.
In addition to its economic benefits, the project also aims to tackle environmental issues by rehabilitating hazardous gypsum stacks and reviving a dormant Sasol phosphoric acid plant. The site’s existing infrastructure, including power lines, fencing, and a high-voltage switchyard, provides significant cost savings.
This groundbreaking project not only showcases South Africa’s expertise in mining technology but also underscores its commitment to sustainable development. It positions the country as a leading contributor to the global green energy transition.
