Critical metals are, by definition, metals that are of high economic importance and at the same time exhibit significant supply risks. Elements that are ascribed as especially critical are, for example, rare earth elements, platinum group metals, but also antimony and niobium.
At IME, pyrometallurgical as well as hydrometallurgical processes for economic, efficient and environmentally friendly treatment and extraction of critical metals are investigated. The following list abstracts some of our current research topics in this field:

– alternative Bismuth extraction route from lead industry residues

– extraction of rare earth elements from eudialyte ore via cascade leaching

– precious metal recycling by application of suitable slag systems

– extraction of antimony trioxide from lead industry residues

– metallothermic reduction of scandium compounds

Contact:

• Dr.-Ing. Elinor Rombach
• M.Sc. Richard Schneider

Alumni:

• Dr.-Ing. Yiqian Ma
• M.Sc. Dominic Feldhaus
• M.Sc. Frederic Brinkmann
• M.Sc. Alexandra Daldrup
• M.Sc. Jürgen Maier
• M.Sc. Jil Schosseler
• Dr.-Ing. Diana Vieten, geb. Michaelis
• Dr.-Ing. Stephanie Kruse
• Dr.-Ing. Ann-Kathrin Maurell-Lopez geb. Pophanken
• Dipl.-Ing. Charlotte Merkel
• Dr.-Ing. Florian Ruschmann
• Dr.-Ing. David Friedmann
• Dr.-Ing. Marek Bartosinski
• Dr.-Ing. Milena Stopic
• Dr.-Ing. Hanno Vogel
• Dr.-Ing. Daniel Voßenkaul
• Dr.-Ing. Guizhi Zeng