Tailings of Mining and Processing as Alternative Raw Material Repository

The more critical raw materials such as platinum group metals, alloy elements for steel production, high-tech metals, and rare earths are referred to as materials of strategic economic importance. According to the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research these materials are necessary for leading-edge Technology and future economic growth in highly developed countries. The majority of these materials must be imported from abroad. Economy sectors that require these minerals and metals are, therefore, vulnerable to crises and high export taxes. In addition to that, the current world marked situation is characterized by too low supply and too high demand. A direct supply of such raw materials from deposits within a country like Germany would contribute significantly to the relaxation of its economic situation with regard to this Problem.