Quantifying the potential for recoverable resources of gallium, germanium and antimony as companion metals in Australia

摘要: Abstract Although critical to newly evolving and increasingly essential technologies, antimony (Sb), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge) are generally recovered as byproducts or ‘companion metals’ of other metal ores. The stage at which companion metals extracted depends on metallurgical processes by the host ore mineral is processed; many late during this processing. Therefore, current future supply relies not only production major commodities, but also efficient recovery these processing that recovers primary commodity. National geological surveys, particularly USGS, publish annual estimates global reserves for a variety metals, metals. This study provides geogenic stocks (in waste rock piles, tailings, smelting, refining) Ga, Ge, Sb These elements mined in Australia may be outside Australia, their life cycles have yet been well understood. Based methodology adapted, paper minimum 970–1230 kt 30–10,000 kt Ge 70–1000 kt Australian lead-zinc-silver, gold, copper, iron ore, coal, bauxite, bauxite residue (red mud) resources. large range estimated stems from variable grades reported companies considerable uncertainty exists among grade presented. However, reflective best practice resource estimation Sb, provide basis determining similar recoverable such indium, rhenium, selenium, all increasing importance modern-day life.