Research Group Determines Salmon Sperm Low-Cost Way to Extract Rare Earths

Mineweb reported that a Japanese research team has determined that salmon sperm may serve as a useful, low-cost tool in extracting rare earths.

As quoted in the market report:

The research team, based in Aichi Prefecture, found a 2010 study which determined phosphate groups found on the surface of bacteria can absorb and separate rare earths from the ore 10 times more effectively than the current extraction and separation REE process with extraction resin. The team then decided to explore the possibility of using milt–rich in phosphoric acids, but usually thrown away—for rare earth element extraction.

To view the whole Mineweb report, click here.