Robust Split Laser Spectroscopic Sensor for In-situ Characterization of Rare Earth Elements and other Critical Minerals in Mining Deposits

Several scarce critical minerals are important for modern industries that are enabling the energy transition. These include primarily rare earth elements like Neodymium and Lanthanum that are critical for electric vehicle motors and batteries. Other rare earth elements like Yttrium, Europium and Terbium are useful for making electronic displays in screens. Rare earth elements mining deposits are scarce in nature and only a few production sites exist, mostly in China. Securing the supply of rare earth elements is critical to economic growth and national security which is why there is a need for investments in technologies to aid with the exploration and prospecting of new mining deposits. Currently mining companies utilize off-site mineral sample analysis tools to determine the viability of a mine and no in situ analysis tool exists for borehole applications that allow rapid quantification of rare earth element content. Rapid real-time detection of rare earth elements in mining boreholes is proposed using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which has been shown to detect several rare earth elements in solid oxide or aqueous form. A prototype split laser system, based on a licensed patent from NETL has been developed for groundwater analysis using LIBS. The system will be upgraded for static borehole operation and deployed in a mine at Falkirk, ND to demonstrate feasibility of rapid in situ quantification of rare earth metals. MetroLaser is partnering with a mining consultant and a mining company to plan for site visits and field demonstrations of the LIBS system for rare earth element detection. The proposed LIBS sensor will significantly reduce the time and expense involved in mineral analysis for an exploratory drilling site. Mining operators will not need to wait for off-site results for a sample and can move on to the next drilling site faster than before. Enabling rapid exploration of rare earth mineral deposits has many downstream effects on industries such as electric vehicles, batteries, and electronics. This includes reduced cost as well as reduced reliance on foreign mining interests.