Rare earth deposit in Storkwitz, Saxony, enters a new exploration phase.
China’s dominance in rare earth production is well known. However, deposits of these critical raw materials also exist in Germany, including at Storkwitz in the state of Saxony. The deposit has been known since the GDR era, and additional exploration drilling was carried out in the 2010s. At that time, the low ore grade, complex geology and prevailing market conditions made commercial extraction appear uneconomic.
Munich-based start-up Hades is now taking a fresh look at the project. According to the company, it has received the exclusive right from the Saxon Mining Authority to continue exploring the deposit.
Hades plans to rely on new technological approaches. A proprietary laser drilling system is intended to accelerate access to the deep ore body and significantly reduce drilling costs. The company also aims to recover the rare earths through in-situ leaching, dissolving the minerals underground and pumping the solution to the surface. This method could potentially minimize disturbance to the land surface compared with conventional mining. Whether the process is suitable for the geological conditions at Storkwitz remains to be proven, however, as the technology has so far only been tested under laboratory conditions.
Further exploration is scheduled for 2027, while commercial extraction is targeted for 2029, according to the company.
Photo: Dazman via Canva
