Production of Rare Earth Element Oxides

Production of Rare Earth Element Oxides Launched According to information obtained from Eti Maden by AA correspondent, work is progressing rapidly at the pilot facility where rare earth elements used in many important sectors will be produced. Beylikova Fluorite Barite and Rare Earth Elements Operations Manager Lütfi Tozar stated in his announcement that barite, fluorite and rare earth elements will be produced at the initial stage of the pilot facility. Tozar noted that the target in the phase following the pilot facility is to establish an industrial facility that will produce 10,000 tonnes of rare earth oxide, adding, "We will start work following this project. Additionally, we will produce 72,000 tonnes of barite and 70,000 tonnes of fluorite at the large facility." Technology Development Department Head Derya Maraşlıoğlu drew attention to the fact that all minerals found in the field have economic value, stating, "We designed our work at the pilot facility aimed at recovering these minerals. After this stage, we will conduct work for the actual industrial facility. We have a target for the industrial facility. To achieve it, we need to obtain certain parameters. At the pilot facility, we will work on processes, identify their shortcomings and advantages."

Demand grows day by day

Eti Maden General Manager Serkan Keleşer stated that the Beylikova field ranks 2nd with 694 million tonnes of rare earth element reserves, following the Bayan Obo field in China which has reserves of approximately 800 million tonnes worldwide, and explained the field's importance to the country to the AA correspondent. Keleşer noted that the field's history dates back to the 1950s, and that approximately 125,000 metres of drilling was carried out and 60,000 samples were taken between 2011 and 2017, while from 2017 onwards Hacettepe University determined the field's reserves using these samples. Drawing attention to the growing trend in the importance of rare earth elements worldwide, Keleşer said that the use areas of the ore in question have strategic importance. While pointing out that there is no alternative element that can replace rare earth elements in their fields of use, Keleşer continued as follows: "We are talking about products that are used sparingly but are indispensable. In other words, there is no substitute for them; you have to use them. If you notice, all fields of use are always strategic areas. Demand in the rare earth element market is rising with each passing day as technologies develop. The number of countries meeting this demand in the world is limited. This makes the importance of this field even greater. We are talking about products in this field where there is serious competition, sometimes you cannot buy them even if you pay for them. In that case, the importance of our field and our country's strategic position in this regard becomes significant."   Source