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Jamaica: Plant opened to test viability of rare earth extraction
Jamaica’s energy minister has opened a pilot plant where researchers will test whether rare earth elements can be commercially extracted from bauxite waste on the Caribbean island-nation.
The plant was opened Tuesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the capital of Kingston, some 8 months after construction started. Full operations are expected to begin before the end of the month.
More: Jamaica launches rare earth metals project
Jamaica is working with Nippon Light Metal Co. Ltd. of Japan, which holds a patent for a type of technology required for extracting rare earth elements from red bauxite residue.
Some 30 metric tons of dry red mud from mining areas is expected to be processed in evaluating the potential commercial scope.
More: Jamaica to benefit greatly from new discovery of rare earth metals
Rare earth elements are key ingredients for high-tech products like smartphones and computers.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press