IMMT scientists find rare earth elements in Odisha red mud

On April 3, scientists from the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, reported the estimated quantity of rare earth elements that can be recovered from red mud in Odisha, a toxic byproduct generated in abundance during the processing of bauxite into alumina.

Rare earth elements are crucial components for electronic and electric systems, devices used to produce green hydrogen, and electric vehicles.

It is a known fact that red mud contains rare earth elements, but the amount of elements present depends on the origin of bauxite and how it is processed into alumina.

A recent study published in Current Science on March 25 revealed that the fine-grained content of red mud at NALCO’s Damanjodi alumina refinery contained 433 ppm of rare earth elements like cerium, neodymium, and scandium that are used in catalytic converters, LEDs, electric motors, and high-intensity lamps.

IMMT Bhubaneswar is a facility of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.