New study identifies hotspots for critical green metals
Research from scientists at Macquarie University has pinpointed locations where critical metals can be found. These materials may be particularly crucial in the context of green energy development trends.
Scientists from Macquarie University in Australia have identified likely locations for deposits of metals critical to economic development. These metals play a significant role in modernizing energy and developing renewable energy sources.
Regarding critical metals, we refer to resources such as copper, rare earth elements, and cobalt. Conducting the energy revolution will require larger resources of these metals than are currently available.
The Australian scientists published the results of their research in Nature. The research, led by Dr. Chunfei Chen, identified probable locations and explained the mechanisms of accumulation of critical metals on the margins of ancient continental cratons.
"These cores are the thickest, bowl-shaped, parts of tectonic plates. Melts that form below their centres will flow upwards and outwards towards the edges, so that volcanic activity is common around their edges," says Chen.
Previous experiments by the research group showed that the initial melts at a depth of approximately 124 miles are rich in carbonate but contain much less silica than most molten rocks. New studies indicate that the melts will lose silica and become nearly pure carbonate as they rise.
"The initial melts can carry lots of critical metals and sulfur, but our new results show that these are dropped by the melt as it loses silica," explains Prof. Stephen Foley. "This causes concentrations of critical metals and sulfur in linear arrangements around the edges of thick continental cores."
The research shows that mantle samples brought to the surface by volcanoes in these areas contain more sulfur and copper than elsewhere. This indicates that critical metals accumulate around the cratons' edges, highlighting these areas for potential deposit exploitation.
