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Sustainable Rare Earth Element Extraction Strategy

Develop a non-diesel-powered mining approach for the Pocono Mountain REE deposit, focusing on safety, environmental responsibility, and cost-efficiency.

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Sustainable Rare Earth Element Extraction Strategy

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  1. GE mining Rare Earth Element Extraction Strategy Plan Introduction to Engineering Design EDGSN 100 Section 001 Design Team 1 Kambriea Lassak KJL5562@psu.edu Mason Pollock MRP33@psu.edu Jonathan Hydock JIH5666@psu.edu Ben McGraw bcm5355@psu.edu Presented to: Prof. Berezniak Date: 04/28/2017

  2. Project Objective Offer a comprehensive, complete and supportable extraction strategy plan Consider non-diesel-powered mining equipment in the mining process Consider alternatives to traditional mining methods 2

  3. Project Background In 2012, a major Rare Earth Element (REE) ore deposit was found in the Pocono Mountain region of northeastern Pennsylvania largest economically exploitable REE ore deposit discovered to date Over 90% of the REEs used by the U.S. are from deposits located in China The bottom of REE ore body is approximately 3,000 meters below surface Using block caving mining the ore will be undercut allowing it to fall to one of the 100 draw points in the mine 3

  4. Project Scope Mine development infrastructure has been installed to permit ore extraction Workers in deep mines require healthy and safe working conditions Occupational and environmental risks are mitigated to safe levels Use of engineering controls, including appropriate mine ventilation and cooling 4

  5. Project Sponsor GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE) Headquartered in Chicago, IL Employs approximately 13,000 employees worldwide Build equipment that moves the rail, mining, and marine industries Drive systems for mining trucks Fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives Diesel engines for rail Marine and stationary power applications Signaling and software solutions 5

  6. Rare Earth Elements (REE) • Location: carbonatites, ion- absorption clay deposits, monazite-xenotime-bearing placer deposits and alkaline igneous systems. • Uses: rechargeable batteries, illuminated glass screens; rock tumbling polish; hard alloys for armored vehicles; night vision goggles; glass polish 6

  7. Mine Requirements • Block Caving Methods Requirements • Block Caving Method • Mechanized load-haul-dump machines and underground haulage trucks will be used Block Caving Method • Artificial caverns are created through undercutting large sections of rock • A pre constructed series of funnels and access tunnels collect the broken ore as it falls from under the broken mass • Miners collect the ore, and are protected from falling ore by large, bunker-like masses of rock. • The ore collapses upward through the ore body, eventually leaving behind a sinkhole on the surface. 7

  8. Underground Mining Equipment: LHD - ADT - Drilling Jumbo GE Battery LHD CAT AD-60 8 Sandvik DD421-60C

  9. Known Parameters and Assumptions • The REE concentration is uniform throughout the ore deposit. • The Rare-Earth Ore is worth $10,000 per ton extracted. • The Haul Truck Ramp from the extraction level to the surface processing plant is 15.3 km long at a constant 20% grade. • Assume that each draw point provides a continuous flow of ore and that there are no hang-ups, downtime, or large boulders to break up during the extraction process • There are 100 draw points in the mine. • The average distance between a draw point and haul truck pickup locations is 300 meters. • The REE ore deposit host rock is fin-to-medium-grained sandstone, siltstone, and conglomerate and is considered reasonably stable and self-supporting over approximately 90% of the mine; structural roof/rock support systems will be needed in the remaining portion of the mine. • Estimated average groundwater inflow (drainage) into the REE mine is 10 gallons per minute. 9

  10. Extraction Strategy Plan Tasks Airborne Contamination Stewardship Environmental Management Occupational Health and Workplace Safety Operating Costs and Productivity Local Community Engagement Waste Management and Disposal Mine Closure and Rehabilitation 10

  11. Extraction Strategy Plan: Waste Management & Disposal Types of waste in mining: • Overburden • Waste rock • Tailings • Mine water • Gaseous wastes 11

  12. Project Conclusions GE battery LHD Caterpillar AD-60 Sandvik DD421-60C drill 12

  13. Closing 13

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