An unexpected source…the discovery of a “vast treasure trove” of rare metals

Millions of tons of coal ash remain from burning the dirtiest types Fossil fuels on Planet Earth In ponds and landfills, it’s capable of seeping into waterways and contaminating the soil, but this toxic waste could be a treasure trove of rare earth elements needed to push the world toward clean energy, according to CNN.

Scientists have analyzed coal ash from power plants around the world US They found it could contain up to 11 million tons of rare earths, nearly 8 times the amount the United States has in domestic reserves worth $8.4 billion, according to a recent study University of Texas In Austin.

Coal ash represents a huge potential source of local rare earth elements without the need for new mining, said Bridget Scanlon, study author and research professor at the University of Texas’ Jackson School of Geosciences.

These rare earth elements are a group of metallic elements, found in… Heart of the EarthIt plays a key role in clean energy, including electric vehicles, solar panels and windmills.

These minerals are not rare in nature, but they are difficult to extract and separate from the surrounding ore, so the demand exceeds the supply.

Demand for minerals is expected to grow to seven times current levels by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency.