source：Mining Review
Mkango Resources has launched and provided further details of the Innovate UK grant funded project, “Rare-Earth Recycling for E-Machines” in which HyProMag is a partner.
Mkango’s subsidiary, Maginito, holds a 25% equity interest in HyProMag.
RaRE will for the first time establish an end to end supply chain to incorporate recycled rare earth magnets into electric vehicles, whereby recycled magnets will be built into an ancillary electric motor to ultimately support the development of a commercial ancillary motor suite.
Fundamental to the Project is a patented process for extracting and demagnetising neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) alloy powders from magnets embedded in scrap and redundant equipment named HPMS (Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap), originally developed within the Magnetic Materials Group (MMG) at the University of Birmingham (UoB) and subsequently licenced to HyProMag.
In addition to HyProMag and UoB, the Project features a strong set of partners with complementary expertise:
Advanced Electric Machines Research – extensive experience in designing motors for customers including Airbus and Tevva Motors
Bentley Motors – an iconic automotive brand and part of the VW Group, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers
Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions – a global leader in the processing of electronics waste working with Fortune 500 companies and UK government agencies
Unipart Powertrain Applications – one of the largest UK based Tier 1 automotive partners and a recognised volume automotive supplier able to supply globally
The total budget for RaRE is ￡2.6 million, of which Innovate UK will fund ￡1.9 million with Project partners funding the ￡0.7 million balance.
HyProMag’s contribution will be fully funded from the ￡300,000 investment made by Maginito in January 2020.
William Dawes, CE of Mkango states:
“We are excited about this innovative project and the opportunity to scale up and commercialise the HPMS technology. We envisage that recycling of rare earth magnets will play a key role in the development of robust supply chains to catalyse and support growth in the electric vehicle sector and in other clean technologies.
“Further building on our platform within the circular economy and downstream markets is a key component of our strategy, underpinned by the sustainable development of the Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi.”
Daniel Mamadou, Executive Director of Talaxis states:
“We are excited to see this project progress to its next phase and welcome the support of all partners involved. With the increasing need for sustainably sourced commodities, RaRE highlights the role that closed loops chains can play in rare earths supply, to meet the environmental and economic demands of the growing electric vehicle market.
“As an early participant in this project, we look forward to continuing to support the development of the rare earth recycling industry going forward, in parallel with the Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi.”
Nick Mann, Operations General Manager of HyProMag says:
“RaRE is an exciting project and a fantastic opportunity to prove the importance and worth of short loop recycled magnetic material. NdFeB magnets are essential for many future technologies, and the emerging electric vehicle market is of increasing importance.
Read more about battery metals
“Being involved at this level means we not only get to work with and supply recycled magnets to some of the most innovative and globally recognised companies, but also allows us to influence the design of products with the aim of making recycling a better option in the future. I believe this is industry, technology, recycling, and innovation working together at its impressive best.”