Mineral Resources Supply & Information with a Focus on Rare Earth Elements

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1 Regulatory Transparency in Trade in Raw Materials Mineral Resources Supply & Information with a Focus on Rare Earth Elements Larry Meinert, USGS Mineral Resources Program U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey MAY 2012 OECD CONFERENCE CENTRE, PARIS

2 USGS Mineral Resources Program For official use, not for distribution

Mineral Resource Assessment Methodology Qualitative The Assessment: A 3-Part Process 1. Delineate permissive tracts for occurrence of each deposit type Quantitative 2.

3 Mineral Resource Assessment Methodology Qualitative The Assessment: A 3-Part Process 1. Delineate permissive tracts for occurrence of each deposit type Quantitative 2. Estimate number of undiscovered deposits in each tract 3. Apply global grade and tonnage models to estimate quantity and quality of undiscovered contained metal/resource. Reference Singer, D.A., 1993, Basic concepts in three-part quantitative assessments of undiscovered mineral resources: Nonrenewable Resources, v. 2, no. 2, p

(subsurface information for tract delineation) Geochemistry (surface information for tract delineation) Remote

4 Mineral Resource Assessment Methodology Information Needed Geologic maps* (determines scale of assessment) Mineral deposit models* (keystone to assessment) Mineral occurrence database (need accurate locations) Geophysics (subsurface information for tract delineation) Geochemistry (surface information for tract delineation) Remote sensing (surface information for tract delineation) Exploration history (How well has an area been explored?) * Minimum requirements

5 Example of global Resource estimation - copper

6 Permissive tracts

7 Mineral Resources The Big Picture Global trends: ~4X more population than 100 years ago ~4X more per capita iron consumption than 100 years ago ~14X more iron production than 100 years ago

8 REO Production Trends 1956 to 2010 Sources: USGS Fact Sheet updated with recent USGS Minerals Yearbook data

9 Global Rare Earth Oxide (REO) Reserves in 2011 by country Other, 20% United States, 11% Australia, 1% India, 3% CIS, 17% China, 48% A total of 110 million metric tons of contained REO Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2012

10 Types of Rare Earth Deposits Carbonatite and Peralkaline Intrusive-Related (71,000 tpy REO) These are very rare intrusive rocks found in rift zones and hot spots. REE-minerals may be rock-forming minerals or may be deposited by hydrothermal activity in veins. Residual (45,000 tpy REO) Intense weathering of carbonatite and peralkaline intrusives may form concentrated residual deposits or REE minerals. REElaterite in south China result from weathering of tin granites. Heavy Mineral Placers (4,000 tpy REO) Monazite, a common REE-bearing accessory mineral in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, may be concentrated with other heavy minerals in placer deposits.

11 Mineralized Carbonatites and Peralkaline Intrusions

12 BAYAN OBO, China

Ionic Clay Deposits, SE China About 0.5 percent TREO in a readily leached form in laterite formed on tin granites in southern China. Many of these deposits are enriched in HREE.

13 Ionic Clay Deposits, SE China About 0.5 percent TREO in a readily leached form in laterite formed on tin granites in southern China. Many of these deposits are enriched in HREE. A significant source of REE, especially HREE, but resources are rapidly being depleted. Mining of these deposits in South China by undercapitalized small operators is environmentally problematic. T. Tagaki, Geological Survey of Japan

14 The Principal Rare Earth Elements Deposits of the United States A Summary of Domestic Deposits and a Global Perspective (USGS Scientific Investigations Report ) Full Report,

Abundant to trace: Monazite (REE,Th)PO 4 Apatite Ca 5 (PO 4 )F Parasite (REE) 2 Ca(CO 3

15 Major Minerals: Mountain Pass mine, Sulphide Queen carbonatite Calcite CaCO 3 Dolomite CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 Barite BaSO 4 Celestite SrSO 4 Quartz SiO 2 Bastnäsite (REE)CO 3 F Abundant to trace: Monazite (REE,Th)PO 4 Apatite Ca 5 (PO 4 )F Parasite (REE) 2 Ca(CO 3 ) 3 F 2 Strontianite SrCO 3 Galena Widespread: PbS Talc Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 Trace: Pyrite FeS 2

16 Sulphide Queen carbonatite Total Proven Reserves 44,100 tons of REE oxides, avg. grade of 9.38 % REE oxides, using cut-off grade of 5 % Bastnäsite calcite barite dolomite Bastnäsite (REE)CO 3 F 1 mm

18 Bear Lodge, Wyoming As of January 2012 Measured and indicated resources: 6.8 million 3.75 % total REE oxide

20 Bokan Mountain, Alaska

> 20 REE-Y, Nb, U-Th-bearing minerals: F-carbonates, oxides, silicates, and phosphates xenotime YPO 4 allanite (Y,REE,Ca) 2 (Al,Fe) 3 Si 3 O 12 (OH) britholite (Y,REE,Ca) 5 (SiO 4,PO 4 ) 3 (OH,F)

21 > 20 REE-Y, Nb, U-Th-bearing minerals: F-carbonates, oxides, silicates, and phosphates xenotime YPO 4 allanite (Y,REE,Ca) 2 (Al,Fe) 3 Si 3 O 12 (OH) britholite (Y,REE,Ca) 5 (SiO 4,PO 4 ) 3 (OH,F) bastnäsite (Y,REE)CO 3 F synchysite Ca(Y,REE)(CO 3 ) 2 F iimoriite Y 2 (SiO 4 )(CO 3 ) kainosite Ca 2 (Y,REE) 2 Si 4 O 12 CO 3 H 2 O zircon (Zr,REE)SiO 4 fergusonite (Y,REE)NbO 4 euxenite (Y,Ca,REE,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti) 2 O 6 uranothorite (Th,U) SiO 4 uranothorianite (Th,U)O 2 monazite (REE,Th)PO 4

22 Ore grade 6 % 8.9 % 3.6 % % 12 % Bayan Obo, Mongolia Mountain Pass, California Bear Lodge, Wyoming Bokan Mtn, Alaska China clay deposits, southern China La 31.81% 33.79% 29.28% 10.37% 19.30% Ce 49.42% 49.59% 45.86% 24.36% 31.18% Pr 3.61% 4.12% 4.42% 3.11% 4.05% Nd 12.67% 11.16% 14.36% 12.20% 13.52% Sm 1.28% 0.85% 2.43% 3.11% 3.82% Eu 0.21% 0.11% 0.58% 0.20% 0.34% Light REE 99.00% 99.60% 97.00% 53.30% 72.20% Gd 0.52% 0.21% 1.24% 3.47% 2.97% Tb 0.05% 0.02% 0.21% 0.60% 0.43% Dy 0.12% 0.03% 0.50% 4.19% 2.30% Ho 0.03% 0.00% 0.03% 8.69% 0.49% Er 0.03% 0.01% 0.06% 2.39% 1.44% Tm 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% n.d. 0.21% Yb 0.01% 0.00% 0.03% n.d. 1.08% Lu 0.00% n.d. 0.00% n.d. 0.16% Y 0.25% 0.13% 0.88% 27.31% 18.72% Heavy REE 1.00% 0.40% 3.00% 46.70% 27.80%

23 Ore grade 6 % 8.9 % 3.6 % % 12 % * Bayan Obo, Mongolia Mountain Pass, California Bear Lodge, Wyoming Bokan Mtn, Alaska China clay deposits, southern China La 31.81% 33.79% 29.28% 10.37% 19.30% Ce 49.42% 49.59% 45.86% 24.36% 31.18% Pr 3.61% 4.12% 4.42% 3.11% 4.05% Nd 12.67% 11.16% 14.36% 12.20% 13.52% Sm 1.28% 0.85% 2.43% 3.11% 3.82% Eu 0.21% 0.11% 0.58% 0.20% 0.34% Light REE 99.00% 99.60% 97.00% 53.30% 72.20% Gd 0.52% 0.21% 1.24% 3.47% 2.97% Tb 0.05% 0.02% 0.21% 0.60% 0.43% Dy 0.12% 0.03% 0.50% 4.19% 2.30% Ho 0.03% 0.00% 0.03% 8.69% 0.49% Er 0.03% 0.01% 0.06% 2.39% 1.44% Tm 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% n.d. 0.21% Yb 0.01% 0.00% 0.03% n.d. 1.08% Lu 0.00% n.d. 0.00% n.d. 0.16% Y 0.25% 0.13% 0.88% 27.31% 18.72% Heavy REE 1.00% 0.40% 3.00% 46.70% 27.80%

24 Ore grade 6 % 8.9 % 3.6 % % 12 % * Bayan Obo, Mongolia Mountain Pass, California Bear Lodge, Wyoming Bokan Mtn, Alaska China clay deposits, southern China La 31.81% 33.79% 29.28% 10.37% 19.30% Ce 49.42% 49.59% 45.86% 24.36% 31.18% Pr 3.61% 4.12% 4.42% 3.11% 4.05% Nd 12.67% 11.16% 14.36% 12.20% 13.52% Sm 1.28% 0.85% 2.43% 3.11% 3.82% Eu 0.21% 0.11% 0.58% 0.20% 0.34% Light REE 99.00% 99.60% 97.00% 53.30% 72.20% Gd 0.52% 0.21% 1.24% 3.47% 2.97% Tb 0.05% 0.02% 0.21% 0.60% 0.43% Dy 0.12% 0.03% 0.50% 4.19% 2.30% Ho 0.03% 0.00% 0.03% 8.69% 0.49% Er 0.03% 0.01% 0.06% 2.39% 1.44% Tm 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% n.d. 0.21% Yb 0.01% 0.00% 0.03% n.d. 1.08% Lu 0.00% n.d. 0.00% n.d. 0.16% Y 0.25% 0.13% 0.88% 27.31% 18.72% Heavy REE 1.00% 0.40% 3.00% 46.70% 27.80%

25 Monazite-bearing stream and beach placer deposits

26 Ilmenite Fe 2+ TiO 3 Monazite (REE,Th)PO 4

27 Policy implications 1) World reserves are adequate but production is limited and dominated by a single source China. 2) Nine bills currently pending in Congress concerning REE 1) Future Federal policy to be guided by the work of several ongoing White House (OSTP) studies: a) Critical Materials - Criteria & prioritization b) Critical Materials information sources, gaps, needs c) Critical Materials - Long term R&D strategy & needs d) Materials Genome 2) New and ongoing research USGS Genesis and resources of REE deposits USGS Annual Mineral Commodity Summaries & Minerals Yearbook

28 USGS Mineral Resources Program For official use, not for distribution

29 Value of mineral resources to US economy (2011)

30 World Trade: Although the US is a major producer and exporter of many commodities such as molybdenum and beryllium, it relies on world trade for most mineral resources and is 100% reliant on imports for 19 commodities, including REE Source: USGS Minerals Commodity Summaries (2012)

31 Importance of USGS International Information As a major economy, the United States must know and understand worldwide markets to remain competitive and establish rational policies. Increasing reliance on USGS country and mineral commodity specialists for global mineral-related policy analysis (DOI, DOD, CIA, and DOS). USGS expertise in world hot spots with respect to strategic and critical materials frequently tapped by Federal Government.

32 Information in International Reports Data on the production of more than 80 mineral commodities Information on the structure of the minerals industry (main facilities, location, ownership, and capacity) for countries with significant minerals production Reports for countries with extensive mineral industries also contain information on government policies and programs, environmental issues, commodity reviews, reserves, infrastructure, and mineral trade

33 Sources of International Data Cooperating governments complete mineral questionnaires or provide in-kind reports (about 70 to 100 countries participate annually) Literature including mining publications, and company reports (news releases, and annual reports on the world wide Web) Site visits and international symposia Embassy reports Statistical groups such as the mineral commodity study groups

34 Users of International Data Department of State (training of economic officers, assistance with Kimberley Process responsibilities, specific information requests) Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission Department of Defense Department of Treasury (Customs) Congressional Committees Development Banks Companies and Trade Associations Law Firms, Industry Consultants, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Universities

Future needs of information and analysis Increased Interest in Global Overview New deposit types and geologic characteristics Mineral Outlooks estimates of capacity of industry to produce selected

35 Future needs of information and analysis Increased Interest in Global Overview New deposit types and geologic characteristics Mineral Outlooks estimates of capacity of industry to produce selected mineral commodities over the next 5 to 7 years Industry Structure data for major production sites (geo-referenced) Information of changing patterns of mineral consumption More systematic information on mineral investment Improved information on reserves/resources

Mineral Resources Supply & Information with a Focus on Rare Earth Elements

Mineral Resources Supply & Information with a Focus on Rare Earth Elements Larry Meinert Mineral Resources Program, USGS September 12-13th, 13th, 2012, US-EU Workshop on: "Informed policy-making through