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What does the SUPREEMO project stand for?

The SUPREEMO project will capitalise on the knowledge generated by previous R&D projects – SecREEts, SUSMAGPRO, Enviree, Eurare, REE4EU  – to establish the first sustainable and resilient pre-commercial European Rare Earth Elements (REEs) value chain (TRL7), leveraging European primary sources as feedstock. The SUPREEMO partners aim to develop sustainable, cost-competitive processing, refining, and RE permanent magnet production technologies in a responsible manner, adhering to local and international safety regulations. The developed solutions will bolster the European industrial leadership and enhance autonomy in this critical strategic value chain and ensure a secure supply of raw materials. This aim will be achieved by reaching specific objectives considering five main technology stages: 

The SUPREEMO project will use REEs resources from the Fen deposit (Norway). This is the largest known light rare earth elements deposit in Europe. It consists mainly of carbonatite type minerals with rare earth minerals in the form of monazite (phosphate) and bastnaesite (fluorocarbonate).

Why are rare earth elements considered critical for modern technology and industry?

Technological challenge: low concentration of rare earth in the ores

The technological challenge of low concentrations of rare earth elements in ores is a critical issue in rare earth mining and processing. In this context, the SUPREEMO project aims to develop and integrate advanced technologies to address these challenges. REEs are often present only in trace amounts, even in deposits considered rich. As a result, mining these elements requires processing vast quantities of ore to extract small amounts of REEs, a process that can be both energy-intensive and costly.

The extraction itself involves complex chemical and physical processes, such as crushing, grinding, and leaching, which need to be highly optimised to manage low concentrations efficiently. Additionally, processing ores with low rare earth content generates significant waste, including tailings and chemical by-products, which pose environmental challenges and must be carefully managed to minimise ecological impact. This low yield per tonne of ore also increases production costs, making it difficult to compete with established producers unless innovative and cost-effective methods are developed.

The SUPREEMO project explores methods to separate and remove waste material early in the process. This approach reduces the volume of ore that requires intensive processing, reducing costs and energy use significantly. The innovative separation processes are tailored to handle low-concentration REEs, ensuring maximum recovery with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, the SUPREEMO project incorporates innovative modelling and simulation tools to optimize processing workflows, improving the efficiency and scalability of REE extraction from low-grade ores.

By addressing the challenges associated with low REE concentrations, SUPREEMO aims to enhance Europe’s capacity for rare earth production, reducing reliance on imports and contributing to the development of a robust and sustainable supply chain for these critical materials.

SUPREEMO HIGHLIGHTS

The Fen deposit: Europe’s largest deposit of light rare earth elements

REE Minerals holds exploitation rights to a world-class rare-earth element deposit within the eastern part of Fen field in South-East Norway. This is estimated to be Europe’s largest deposit of light rare earth elements, strategically located close to key markets.

The SUPREEMO project will utilise REE mineralised ore from the Fen deposit, which primarily consists of the REE-enriched minerals parisite-synchesite (fluorcarbonates) and monazite (phosphate).

This rich deposit of critical elements stands out not just for its size but for its favourable distribution of rare earth elements. In the resource defined by project partner REE Minerals, approximately 21 % of the REE´s comprise neodymium and praseodymium, key materials for manufacturing REE magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, IT systems, and mobile devices.  

In terms of homogeneity, Fen ore makes it well-suited for large-scale mining, significantly reducing both exploration and operational costs. Geology also facilitates the separation of waste rocks early in the process, lowering the expenses and risks associated with downstream processing. In addition, similarities with other world-class carbonatite deposits enable the application of established beneficiation knowledge, reducing risks and metallurgical costs.

Core drill samples containing rare earth elements from Fen deposit (©REE Minerals).

Additionally, the Fen deposit benefits from its location in an area with well-developed infrastructure, including an easily accessible roads network, rail, ports, heavy industry and barge-transportable waterways. These logistical advantages support cost-effective extraction and distribution, enabling low-risk production.  

Building on these significant advantages, REE Minerals has invested extensively in the Fen field, conducting four drilling programs, geochemical analyses, and bench-scale testing of the ore. In September 2023, a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by SRK Consulting validated the field’s immense potential. Based on 10,447 meters of diamond drilling within REE Minerals´ Fen exploitation license area, the MRE reports inferred resources of 95 million tonnes of mass at an average grade of 1.28 percent TREO, (0.75 % TREO cut-off) equating to 1.2 million tonnes of rare earth oxides. The deposit remains open-ended in multiple directions, with mineralization confirmed to a depth of at least 1000 metres, highlighting the opportunity for further expansion. In addition, REE Minerals have in January 2025 completed a scoping level underground mine plan in collaboration SRK Consulting, Wales.  

As the global demand for rare earth elements is expected to keep increasing, the Fen field highlights Europe’s ability to meet this need sustainably and competitively. With this robust resource base, low-risk production methods, and strategic advantages, the Fen deposit is set to be a key player in driving the technologies of the future.

Validation of hydrometallurgical process and REE Extraction Pilots from Czech Deposits

Uranium deposits serve as a significant source of rare earth elements, often developed in ore aureoles as accompanying minerals. Notable examples include the sedimentary deposit at Stráž pod Ralksem, which was mined using in-situ leaching, and the metamorphic deposit at Rožná, mined by underground mining method. Both of these deposits are managed by DIAMO in the Czech Republic, highlighting their strategic importance in rare earth extraction.  

Mining operations at these deposits have ceased, and remediation efforts are currently underway. However, access remains to leachate from the Stráž pod Ralskem deposit and deposited sludge after milling the ore and uranium processing from the Rožná deposit. Utilising accompanying technologies to extract rare earth elements during uranium mining presents a valuable economic opportunity. This approach ensures a more comprehensive utilisation of resources, contributing to the raw material security of Europe.  

In this context the SUPREEMO project aims to develop a hydrometallurgical and REE extraction pilot at TRL7.  

What mineral resources are contained within these deposits?

At Stráž pod Ralskem deposit, the mineral resource estimation for inferred resources of praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd) within the vicinity of argillitic volcanic veins in the uranium-bearing horizon (Category P2) is estimated at 2 ktonnes (kt) of Pr and Nd, derived from 12 million tonnes (Mt) at a grade of 0.007 %.Consequently, it is projected that the entire deposit could yield up to 74 ktof Pr and Nd as a by-product, alongside uranium production.  

Subsequently, at Rožná deposit, approximately 11 million m³ of leached slurry, equivalent to 16 million tonnes of material, is stored in Tailings Pond K I. This material is suitable for further reprocessing to obtain REE, Nb and Ta. The tailings pond covers a floor plan area of 64.5 ha. It is a non-flow-through tailings pond, originally designed as a valley-type structure. The main atop deposited sediment.  

Due to the chosen method of construction and the subsequent raising of the dams, it is only possible to use 1/3 of the volume of the deposited material. The ore mined at the Rožná deposited is composed mostly of amphibolite-biotite gneiss, followed by feldspar, quartz, pyrite, chlorite, clay minerals, graphite, carbonates, pitchblende, coffinite and other minerals. Uranium ore mining is now terminated at the Rožná mine. But the tailings pond is still operational due to the need to store the products of activities associated with the mine closure, and its content is therefore a possible source suitable for recovering other elements.  

What is DIAMO’s contribution to the SUPREEMO project?

In the framework of the SUPREEMO project, a hydrometallurgical and REE extraction pilot at TRL7 (producing 50-100 kg of REO) will be engineered, constructed and demonstrated by TUKE (Prototype and Innovation Center - PaiC team) with the guidance of Chalmers University of Technology. The pilot will be installed and commissioned at the industrial and authorised premises of DIAMO since they have many years of experience in dealing with feedstock that might contain radioactive material at higher concentrations. Additionally, their facilities are qualified and authorised to deal with any radioactive materials that can be present in the feedstock after concentration.  

An automated flexible and modular system will be constructed, equipped with sensors to provide a continuous on-line monitoring of process parameters (temperature, pressure, flowrates, etc.)ensuring safe operation together with a proper emergency system. Moreover, the engineering work will include specific adaptation needed to cope with the variation in the grade of the REEs concentrate and associated impurities/radioactivity in the feedstock. The modular and flexible design will allow easy upscaling and ramp-up capacity while minimising both CAPEX and OPEX. Such features will also consider any possible installation or operating constraints at DIAMO (footprint, available height, safety etc.).  

Given that more than 50 % of the world's uranium production is carried out by the in-situ leaching (ISL) method from deposits of a similar nature as in the Czech Republic, supplementing this technology with the possible extraction of other valuable elements, especially REE, seems not only reasonable but also effective. Therefore, the SUPREEMO project results obtained with the help of DIAMO in this area will be significant.

SUPREEMO at PDAC 2025!

The PDAC Conference, held in Toronto from March 2-5, is the premier global event for the mineral exploration and mining industry. Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders, the conference focused on the latest developments, technologies, and trends shaping the future of mining and resource exploration.

The Horizon EU funded SUPREEMO and REEPRODUCE projects were invited by European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) to take part in the satellite events organized by the EU in the frame of the PDAC conference.

Both projects aim at establishing a complete rare earth permanent magnet value chain from primary and secondary resources. The ground breaking advancements and innovative solutions were showcased in dedicated workshops and in the EU booth.

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