RARE EARTH METALS

REMs belong to a group of 17 elements that have very unique chemical and physical properties.These metals are critical to high-tech industries, from wind turbines, electric vehicles, LED lighting,computer hard drives, domestic appliances to medicine.

The rare earth series include the most valuable traded elements. Lutetiumis several times more valuable than gold.

The rare earth elements praseodymium, neodymium and dysprosium are keyto the production of rare earthor neo magnets which are stronger per unit weight and volume than any other magnet type,meaning these metals can not be matched by any other elements.

Neo magnets are a fundamental part of all modern electric motors increasing efficiency & reducingelectricity consumption. The magnets are a key factorin technology to develop sustainable energy alternatives to coal, oil and gas reducing carbonemissions.

RARE EARTH METALS

Rapidly increasing demand has recently strained supply of REMs, and thereis growing concern that the world may soon face a serious shortage of the rare earths.

China dominates the supply of REMs with 90+% of the market.

China’s total annual rare earth mining output to be reduced/restrictedto no more than 140,000 MT per annum by 2020.

China solvent extraction refining capacity to be cut by 33% to 200,000 MTper annum REO (from 300,00 MT per annum REO in 2015).

GLOBAL DEMAND & SUPPLY

GLOBAL DEMAND & SUPPLY

Global production of REMs

China Australia USA India Russia Thailand Malaysia

Neodymium

PraseodymiumSamarium

Yttrium

Cerium

Europium, gadolinium, terbium

Lanthanium

Dysprosium

Global REM demand by value: $3.7bn

GLOBAL DEMAND & SUPPLY

MINING: TOXIC & RADIOACTIVE WASTE

MINING REE MAGNET PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION CONSUMER

95+% OF REMS LOST

ALLOY PRODUCER

WASTE

MAGNET PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION CONSUMER RECYCLING

CLEAN ENERGY. CIRCULAR REVOLUTION

REE EXTRACTION

ALLOY PRODUCERS

Reported extractants have poor selectivity and high number of stages i.e. 100 - 150 processes.

Processes use diluents like kerosene and n-heptane - highly volatile and flammable.

Highly acidic streams.

Known problems with stability and recyclability of industrial extractants.

Costly – recycling process not economically viable.

THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

High selectivity, 103-104 Dy/Nd

Selectivity is translatable across the rare earth series

Non-volatile and non-flammable diluents are used

Compact, Cost efficient – lower number of stages

Recyclable extractant

Reduced CAPEX and OPEX

Ready for demonstration scale

SEREN TECHNOLOGY