Germanium in lignite: the evolution of environmentally safe extraction technologies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.113.06Keywords:
lignite, germanium, critical raw material, extraction methods, environmentally safe technologies, ZakarpattiaAbstract
Background. Germanium is included in the list of critical raw materials defined by the European Union in the European Critical Raw Materials Act (2024). The deficit of germanium on the global market necessitates diversifying its supply sources and developing national technologies for extracting this element. Future demand for germanium is expected to grow mainly due to the development of artificial intelligence (the advancement of high-performance microchips and photonic components), 5G/6G communication systems (e.g., high-speed radio and optical networks), as well as increasing demand from consumer electronics (e.g., optical fibers, IR cameras, optical components), the military and defense sectors (e.g., IR sensors, night vision systems, optical technologies), and multijunction solar cells (e.g., for space applications). According to expert estimates, 60–75 % of global germanium production originates from sphalerite rich zinc ores, with the remainder derived from coal fly ash. Other potential sources of germanium include residues from the refining of zinc, lead, copper, silver, gold, and nickel. Coal was identified as a potential source of germanium as early as the 1930s. Today, it has become an important source of this element. Nearly two thirds of China's total primary germanium production comes from germanium bearing coal (113 t Ge in 2019), while national reserves are estimated at 6,670 t Ge (in coal ash). Recent projections indicate a growing contribution of coal to germanium production. In particular, it is forecast that by 2200, coal may supply around 16,000 t Ge, which is comparable to the 17,000 t Ge expected from sulfide zinc ores.
Methods. The article examines the evolution of technologies for extracting germanium from lignite in the context of shaping the modern mineral resource base of Ukraine. The main stages of the development of germanium extraction methods are analyzed: from traditional acid hydrometallurgical technologies of the mid 20th century to modern biotechnological, electrochemical, and membrane methods aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Results. The results of systematizing domestic and international studies, along with a comparison of the effectiveness of technologies across different historical periods are presented. Research was conducted on the patterns of germanium distribution in the lignite of Zakarpattia, as well as the implementation of modern environmentally safe extraction methods based on the mining and geological conditions of rare metal mineralization and the established actual germanium contents.
Conclusions. It is established that promising areas of development include the integrated processing of lignite and ash–slag waste materials using the principles of "Zero Waste" and closed production cycles. Using the example of the lignite deposits of Zakarpattia (Bihanske, Novoselytske), the patterns of germanium distribution were identified, and the feasibility of implementing environmentally safe extraction technologies was substantiated. The obtained results may be used to develop national strategies in the field of critical raw materials and to prepare Ukraine for integration into the European framework for sustainable subsoil use.
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