FINANCE FORUM •
The REAP Project The aim of REAP was to build on previous knowledge of recycling of NdFeB magnets from hard disk drives , using HPMS , and to investigate a new scrap stream from loudspeakers , specifically from end-of-life vehicles ( ELV ) and flat screen TVs ( FSTS ).
EMR performed a comprehensive assessment of both ELV and FSTS scrap , encompassing extraction , characterisation of components , degree of pre-processing and potential for automation .
Meanwhile , HyProMag and UoB provided analysis of the extracted magnets , with a particular focus on determining the overall recyclability and market potential of the ELV and FSTS sectors , both as a viable feedstock of NdFeB and also as a potential route-to-market .
ELV scrap showed a relatively low quantity of NdFeB containing components ( approximately 5 %) and given the low quantity of NdFeB found in each of these products , it is clear that more focus should be placed on hybrid and electric vehicles rather than internal combustion engine vehicles .
With the increase in electric vehicles and general rare earth usage , it is fair to assume that the potential for capturing NdFeB from the ELV sector will increase significantly with time .
The FSTS sector showed significant promise for recycling , with approximately 85 % of the products containing NdFeB . REAP confirmed the quantity of scrap available from the FSTS market , the commercial viability , the suitability of material for HPMS and the properties of the magnets in this sector and provides a strong platform to initiate access to the wider loudspeaker market in the future .
While some variation does exist within both the ELV and FSTS sectors , the average magnet grade remains reasonably consistent . Following extraction , the magnets were taken through the HPMS process , and the resultant liberated powder was analysed to confirm the feasibility of the FSTS sector as feedstock .
The liberated powder was chemically characterised , purified , and re-sintered into a new magnet with minor additions of virgin rareearth hydride material . The re-sintered magnets have comparable magnetic properties to the initial starting magnet . This promising result highlights that the HPMS process can be used to create a new feedstock for recycled magnet making which is currently lost to landfill .
Mkango Resources ' corporate strategy is to develop new sustainable primary and secondary sources of neodymium , praseodymium , dysprosium , and terbium to supply accelerating demand from electric vehicles , wind turbines and other clean technologies .
This integrated Mine , Refine , Recycle strategy differentiates Mkango from its peers , uniquely positioning the company in the rare earths sector .
Anna Nekrashevich | Pexels
Mkango is developing Songwe Hill in Malawi with a Feasibility Study targeted for completion in Q1 2022 . Malawi is known as ‘ The Warm Heart of Africa ’, a stable democracy with existing road , rail and power infrastructure , and new infrastructure developments underway .
In parallel , Mkango recently announced that Mkango and Grupa Azoty Pulawy , Poland ' s leading chemical company and the second largest manufacturer of nitrogen and compound fertilisers in the European Union , have agreed to work together towards development of a rare earth Separation Plant at Pulawy in Poland . The Separation Plant will process the purified mixed rare earth carbonate produced at Songwe .
Through its subsidiary Maginito , Mkango is also developing green technology opportunities in the rare earths supply chain , encompassing neodymium ( NdFeB ) magnet recycling as well as innovative rare earth alloy , magnet , and separation technologies .
Maginito holds a 25 % interest in UK rare earth ( NdFeB ) magnet recycler , HyProMag with an option to increase its interest to 49 %.
Mkango also has an extensive exploration portfolio in Malawi , including the Mchinji rutile discovery , for which assay results are pending , in addition to the Thambani uranium-tantalum-niobiumzircon project and Chimimbe nickel-cobalt project . •
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African Mining • January 2022 • 33 |