Eurobattery Minerals starts new research collaboration
08.02.2023In December 2022 the mining company Eurobattery Minerals AB announced a new research collaboration with the University of Uppsala on mining for rare earth elements (REE) in its Swedish Fetsjön project. The partnership aims to investigate the opportunity for large-scale extraction of REE using existing methods. REE are critical components for electric vehicles and other electric equipment and raw materials classified as "critical" by the European Union.
Test drilling and analysis conducted in 2016 indicate that monazite is available in several locations in Rönnberget
© Eurobattery Minerals
"We are excited to start this new phase in our battery mineral project in Fetsjön with a renewed collaboration with the University of Uppsala. Removing Europe's dependency on REE is a top priority for European industries and politicians. In this context, Eurobattery Minerals aims to meet this need with responsibly mined battery minerals," said Roberto García Martínez, CEO of Eurobattery Minerals.
Together with the University of Uppsala in Sweden, Eurobattery Minerals will engage and cosponsor a new research initiative focusing on the large-scale extraction of REE from the mineral monazite. As opposed to other minerals where REE occurs, monazite doesn't include uranium, thus enabling REE to be extracted without the risk of unwanted side effects. According to samples from previous extensive drilling campaigns carried out from 2006 to 2007 in 52 drill holes, the monazite in Fetsjön has proven to consist of REE with as high occurrences as 30 %. In addition to Fetsjön, Eurobattery Minerals also holds an exploration permit for the much larger Rönnberget. Located close to Fetsjön, Rönnberget has a similar geology. Test drilling and analysis conducted in 2016 indicate that monazite is available in several locations in Rönnberget.
The research project commences immediately and will be headed by Jaroslaw Majka, Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Uppsala.
