RARE EARTH METALS AS A CRITICAL RAW MATERIAL. QUICK OVERVIEW

Rare earth metals REE is vital to modern technology and society and are among the most critical elements. The general physical properties of REE, the history of their discovery, the main natural resources and general applications are highlighted. The criteria by which REE belong to critical raw materials (deficit risk factor, economic importance) are considered. Europe, erbium and dysprosium have the highest vulnerability to supply constraints at the global level. The world's largest producer of REE by a wide margin from competitors is China (in 2021, about 168000 metric tons of rare earth oxides were mined). Ukraine has significant resources of rare earth metals, although it does not produce them. Here are known deposits of both traditional types associated with carbonates (Novo-Poltava) and Mariupolites (Oktyabrske) and non-traditional: rich zirconium and rare earth-zirconium ores of non-core siesites (Azov and Yastrebetske). Ores of most deposits of Ukraine belong to the poor, which are difficult to attract into operation. The structure of REE use has changed significantly over the past 20 years. If in the 90s of the twentieth century about one-third of resources were used for polishing glass and making ceramics, today this segment is occupied by permanent magnets of various applications. Rare earth magnets have become virtually indispensable in a wide range of strategic industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronic, medical and military industries. REE is actively used for high-efficiency engines of hybrid-electric vehicles and in wind power. Attention is focused on REE recycling technologies. Onlyabout 1% of RSM is processed from final products, and the rest is taken out of waste and removed from the material cycle. The main ways of recovery are hydrometallurgical and pyrometalurgical methods, as well as phytoextraction. Recycling rare earth elements from e-waste can significantly contribute to sustainability and environmental protection.