Measuring the anthropogenic cycles of light rare earths in China: Implications for the imbalance problem

Biao Zheng; Yuquan W Zhang; Yong Geng; Wendong Wei; Xueping Tan; Shijiang Xiao; Ziyan Gao

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163215

Measuring the anthropogenic cycles of light rare earths in China: Implications for the imbalance problem

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jun 25:879:163215. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163215. Epub 2023 Apr 1.

Authors

Biao Zheng¹, Yuquan W Zhang², Yong Geng³, Wendong Wei⁴, Xueping Tan⁵, Shijiang Xiao⁴, Ziyan Gao⁴

Affiliations

¹ China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
² China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 3 Yinlian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address: yqwzhang@sjtu.edu.cn.
³ School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address: ygeng@sjtu.edu.cn.
⁴ School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China.
⁵ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining & Technology, No.1 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.

PMID: 37011686
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163215

Abstract

Light rare earth elements (LREEs) are of strategic importance for low carbon transition and decarbonization. However, the imbalance between LREEs exists and a systematic understanding of their flows and stocks is lacking, which impedes the attainment of resources efficiency and exacerbates the environmental burdens. This study examines the anthropogenic cycles and the imbalance problem of three representative LREEs in China, the largest LREEs producer in the world, including cerium (the most abundant), neodymium and praseodymium (the fastest demand-growing). We find that 1) from 2011 to 2020, the total consumption of Nd and Pr increased by 228 % and 223 %, respectively, mainly attributed to the increasing demand of NdFeB, whereas that of Ce increased by 157 %; 2) the supply insufficiency of Nd and Pr under the current quota system accumulated to 138,086 tons and 35,549 tons, respectively, while the oversupply of Ce reached 63,523 tons; and 3) China has become a net importer of LREEs concentrates, and a net exporter of LREEs in the form of intermediate and final products, imposing further burdens to the domestic environment. It is clear that the imbalance of LREEs occurred during the study period, raising urgent needs to adjust the LREEs production quotas, seek other Ce applications, and eliminate illegal mining.

Keywords: Imbalance; Insufficient supply; Light rare earth elements; Material flow analysis; Surplus.