Symposia

Symposium 6 Rare Metals and Recycling (RMR)

This symposium will focus on rare earths and other critical materials. Critical Materials (Rare Metals) are increasingly becoming a critical strategic resource since the global demand for several electronic devices, instruments, defense equipment, magnets, pollution control catalysts and most high-technology. In these days, critical materials become a hot issue due to its core role to the main element as well as its rarity. Since the rarity is determined not only by its amount existent in earth, but also the balance between the demand and supply, the assurance has been propelled in various manners, such as exploration of new ores, recycling, substitution, etc. The symposium will commence with overviews of those minerals considered critical. Rare metals play a vital role in various industries, including electronics, renewable energy, and defense technologies. However, their extraction and processing often pose environmental challenges, and their supply can be vulnerable to geopolitical factors. Recycling offers a promising solution to reduce reliance on primary sources, minimize environmental impacts, and promote a circular economy. This session will explore the importance of rare metals, the challenges and opportunities in their recycling, innovative recycling technologies, policy frameworks to support recycling initiatives, and the role of industry collaboration in advancing sustainable solutions. Speakers will share insights from research, industry experiences, and policy perspectives, highlighting successful case studies and emerging trends in rare metal recycling. Join us to learn how recycling can contribute to resource efficiency, supply chain resilience, and environmental sustainability in the rare metals sector.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to)
  • Critical Material Strategies: Critical material strategies refer to the plans and actions taken by governments, industries, and other stakeholders to address the challenges associated with the availability, supply chain security, and sustainable use of critical materials. Critical materials, also known as critical raw materials (CRMs), are substances that are essential for the economy and have a high risk of supply disruption.
  • Rare Earth Projects, Process Technologies, and Markets: Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements that are crucial components in various high-tech and green technologies due to their unique properties.
  • Innovative Recycling Technologies: Examining cutting-edge recycling technologies for rare metals, such as hydrometallurgical processes, electrochemical methods, and urban mining approaches, and assessing their feasibility and scalability.
  • Industry Perspectives and Best Practices: Showcasing successful examples of rare metal recycling initiatives in collaboration with industry stakeholders, highlighting best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities for replication.
  • Sustainable Supply Chains: Exploring the role of recycling in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of rare metal supply chains, reducing dependence on primary sources, and mitigating geopolitical risks.
  • Research and Innovation: Identifying research priorities and innovation opportunities in rare metal recycling, including materials recovery, process optimization, and lifecycle assessments, to drive technological advancements and improve recycling efficiency.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Emphasizing the importance of collaboration among governments, industries, academia, and civil society organizations to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy for rare metals and achieve shared sustainability goals.:
Symposium Organizers

Prof. Dr. Kyoung Tae Park
National Institute of Rare Metals, KITECH, Republic of Korea
Tel +82-32-226-1351
ktpark@kitech.re.kr

Dr. Ryan Ott
Metals Development, Ames Laboratory (USDOE), USA
rtott@ameslab.gov

Dr. Hong In Kim
Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Republic of Korea
www.kigam.re.kr

Dr. Ulugbek Ruziev
Almalyk Mining & Metallurgical Complex Joint Stock Company, Republic of Uzbekistan
u.ruziev@agmk.uz

Related journals
Archives of Metallurgy and Materials International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials Powder Metallurgy
ISSN: 1733-3490
eISSN: 2300-1909
ISSN: 0263-4368 ISSN: 0032-5899
eISSN: 1743-2901
SCI(I. F. 0.767) SCI(I. F. 3.407) SCI(I. F. 1.911)