稀土资源的全球分布与开发潜力评估

Global distribution and development potential of rare earth resources

稀土是重要的战略资源,然而目前全球稀土储量难以满足未来需求,因此寻找和开发潜在的稀土资源迫在眉睫。建立了稀土资源开发潜力评估指标体系并赋予权重,评估了全球稀土资源的分布及开发潜力,得出如下结论:(1)稀土资源开发潜力评估指标体系由矿产资源开发潜力评估指标体系和政策环境评估指标体系构成,其中前者权重大于后者;(2)中国是轻稀土储量最多的国家,丹麦(格陵兰)的重稀土储量十分可观;(3)巴西的Prado矿、南非的Steenkampskraal矿、美国的Pea Ridge矿和俄罗斯的Tomtor矿是全球品位较高的稀土矿;(4)俄罗斯、丹麦(格陵兰)、澳大利亚、加拿大和美国拥有除中国外最具开发潜力的稀土矿床。面对海外稀土供应潜力的持续提升,中国须加强本国稀土资源的勘查力度,掌握国际稀土产业发展的最新态势,积极谋篇布局,充分利用国外资源并抢占产业的科技制高点,努力保证中国稀土资源的供应安全和产业链优势。

The rare earth is an important strategic material,but its current global reserves cannot meet the future demand.Therefore,it is urgent to find and develop potential rare earth resources.Based on previous research results,this paper proposes an evaluation index system,with assigned weights,to evaluate the development potential of the global rare earth resources.The following conclusions can be drawn.(1)The evaluation index system is composed of that of the mineral resource development potential and that of the policy environment,with a greater weight for the former and a smaller weight for the latter.(2)In terms of the prospective reserves,China has the largest reserves of the light rare earth,while Denmark(Greenland)has the largest reserves of the heavy rare earth.(3)In terms of the deposit grade,Prado mine in Brazil,Steenkampskraal mine in South Africa,Pea Ridge mine in the United States and Tomtor mine in Russia are among the top rare earth grades in the world.(4)In terms of the deposit development potential,Russia,Denmark(Greenland),Australia,Canada and the United States have the most potential rare earth deposits without counting China.In the face of the increasing supply potential of the global rare earth,China must increase the exploration of its own resources,fully understand the latest development trend of the international rare earth industry,make plans in advance,make full use of the overseas rare earth resources,and ensure the supply security and the industrial chain advantages of China's rare earth resources.