Greentech Lead America: Green Technology Solutions, a company specialized in extracting rare earth minerals and precious metals production around the world, announced it is exploring new ways to extract raw materials from recycled electronics.
Researchers from the University of Leuven, Belgium, have developed a process to separate neodymium and samarium from transition metals such as iron, manganese and cobalt using ionic liquids. These are the critical elements used in the construction of permanent rare-earth magnets, which are found in indispensable electronics from hard drives to air conditioners and even wind turbines.
“The usefulness of neodymium and samarium in the microelectronics industry is outweighed only by their scarcity,” said GTSO CEO Paul Watson. “In a U.S. government register, these were the only two elements to feature in the highest supply risk category, and the European Commission has placed them on a list of critical raw materials.
“The development of a cost-effective, environmentally friendly process to extract them from recycled electronics could mean billions in profits for companies in the waste reclamation industry, and even more when you include plastics,” Watson said.
GTSO views e-waste recycling as key to supplying future needs, turning waste bins into the mines of the future.
Urban mining is key to GTSO’s plans to compete alongside major international corporations striving for sustainable waste solutions, such as Industrial Services of America and Sims Metal Management.
Late last year, GTSO acquired the company Global Cell Buyers and soon after rebranded the company as Green Urban Mining to handle its domestic recycling and resale operations.
picture source: ewasteguide.info