Minerals found at world’s largest rare-earth mine can boost defense tech

Chinese geologists have made a groundbreaking discovery of two new minerals, Oboniobite and Scandio-fluoro-eckermannite, at the world’s largest rare-earth mine, Bayan Obo, in Inner Mongolia.

The minerals were discovered through a partnership between the CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Union Co., Ltd., Baotou Research Institute of Rare Earths, and Central South University, as confirmed by the CAS publicity office.

Li Xianhua, a CAS academician, announced the findings on behalf of the CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics, stating that the International Mineralogical Association has confirmed their status as new minerals and approved their naming.

According to Li, the new minerals contain valuable elements with significant applications in fields such as new materials, new energy, information technology, aerospace, national defense, and the military industry, making them crucial for the country’s economic and social development.

Niobium and scandium are highly scarce and strategically critical metals. Niobium finds applications in special steels, superconducting materials, and aerospace industries, whereas scandium is essential for aluminum-scandium alloys and solid oxide fuel cells.

Twenty new minerals found since 1959

Li Xiao, general manager of Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Union Co., Ltd., a prominent Chinese steelmaker, highlighted Bayan Obo’s rich mineral resources, including iron, niobium, scandium, thorium, and fluorite, as reported by China Daily.

According to Li Xiao, since 1959, researchers have identified 18 new minerals at this deposit, with Oboniobite and Scandio-fluoro-eckermannite marking the 19th and 20th discoveries, respectively.

According to Fan Hongrui, a researcher at the CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Oboniobite exhibits a yellow-brown to brown hue and has a plate-like structure ranging in size from 20 to 100 micrometers.

Fan further noted that Scandio-fluoro-eckermannite is the first mineral containing scandium ever discovered in China. Named after CAS academician Zhai Mingguo for his significant contributions to China’s mineral deposit research, it appears pale yellow or light blue and has a columnar shape, measuring up to 350 micrometers.

Chang’e 5 mission discovers novel lunar minerals

China’s scientific missions have been discovering minerals on the Moon as well. In a significant scientific breakthrough earlier this year, China’s Chang’e 5 mission, conducted by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), uncovered new minerals on the lunar surface. Scientists have identified these as rutile (TiO2), trigonal Ti2O, and triclinic Ti2O.

The discovery of titanium compounds like trigonal Ti2O and triclinic Ti2O is particularly noteworthy, as they have never been observed in natural samples on Earth before, where titanium dioxide is usually found in various crystal structures.