Mineral resources and the circular economy

In brief

Ofremi launches an observatory studying the price of industrial metals

In 2023, the French Observatory of Mineral Resources for Industrial Sectors (OFREMI), the Union of Metallurgical Industries and Trades (UIMM) and the Ore, Minerals and Metals Alliance (A3M) launched a new quarterly publication to provide French government and industry with an overview of the prices of metals listed on the London Metal Exchange (LME), along with a brief report of the economic situation. Statistical models for short-term price forecasts were also developed with the help of economists from the University of Paris Dauphine-PSL. The first issues – on copper and nickel – were published in July 2023 while the last will appear on 15 April 2024. The publication is available online. These issues will henceforth be incorporated into SI-OFREMI, a secure digital platform currently under development, which will bring together all the data and analyses produced by the observatory.

A sustainable ionometallurgical process for treating certain ores

Launched in 2019 and completed in late 2023, the H2020 ION4RAW project involved 13 partners including BRGM. The project developed a soft leaching process using ionometallurgy, which has been tested on a pilot scale on different types of polymetallic ores from three countries (Spain, Peru and Scotland). Combining eutectic solvents and electrochemical recovery of the leached metals, this innovative process extracts the main economic metals Cu, Ag and Au, as well as concentrating a number of by-products not previously recovered, among the project's target metals (Bi, Co, Ge, In, Mo, Pt, Re, Sb, Se and Te). As part of this project, BRGM was asked to conduct a detailed characterisation of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the ores in order to understand the distribution of these small disseminated metals and to identify the carrier mineral species to understand the efficiency of the recovery process. A map has also been produced, assessing the potential of by-products in Europe.

An agreement with Managem for the sustainable expansion of its activities

In July 2023, BRGM signed a framework partnership agreement with Morocco’s Managem, a major historic mining operator with 22 sites and 6,000 employees on the African continent. Based on jointly chosen strategic priorities, this collaboration should help the Moroccan group achieve its ambitions for developing its business in Africa and for sustainable, responsible growth. The first three projects under construction seek to understand the potential of various materials essential to the energy transition in several regions, including Marrakesh, the Sirwa massif and the southern provinces.

Cobalt cathodes produced and marketed by Managem. © BRGM – C. Bonin

MaDiTraCe for more responsible sourcing of mineral raw materials

Focusing on the traceability of mineral raw materials for batteries and electric mobility (cobalt, lithium, graphite, rare earths), the Horizon Europe MaDiTraCe project aims to promote responsible industrial practices. The aim is to build a system that, via the "battery passport", clearly identifies the sources for end consumers, while ensuring compliance with international standards. The methodology combines the advantages of traceability through geochemistry and materials science with those of digital tools such as blockchain. The aim is not only to secure the supply chain, but also to strengthen transparency and stakeholder confidence, and to respond to growing concerns about sustainability.

Chemical purification of neodymium to study the traceability of rare earths contained in permanent magnets. © BRGM – C. Boucley

The UNFC classification for assessing projects involving critical raw materials in franceF

Previously, the European Commission (DG GROW) encouraged Member States to report annually on the progress of critical raw materials production projects using the UNFC mineral resources classification system developed by the United Nations. With the CRM Act making such monitoring mandatory, DG GROW is currently developing a comprehensive database for the European Union, with the support of the European Geological Surveys. Under an agreement with the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, BRGM is responsible for adapting the UNFC methodology to the French context, and for identifying and classifying projects involving critical raw materials, through active monitoring. Already involved in European projects for which this system is implemented (GSEU, FutuRaM), the institution is also promoting the application of UNFC in France and taking part in international seminars to present its results.