243 Critical Mineral Resources and Recovery in the Americas: Emerging Methods in Exploration and Sustainable Extraction, Part I

This session explores the role of critical minerals in technology and the low-carbon economy, focusing on geological discoveries, sustainable extraction methods, and recycling to support secure, environmentally responsible mineral supply chains in the Americas.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 217A

ALUMINA PROCESSING WASTE FROM THE U.S. GULF COAST: A POTENTIAL SOURCE FOR CRITICAL MINERALS

Paper number: 243-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:55 AM – 10:10 AM

Authors

  • Brent Elliott Presenting Author
    University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX
  • J. Richard Kyle
    Univ Texas - Austin, Dept Earth & Planetary Sciences, Austin, TX
  • Bridget Scanlon
    University of Texas, Austin Bureau Economic Geology, Austin, TX
  • Shelby Short
    University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX

Abstract

Bauxite ore has been refined to produce alumina and results in “red mud” waste impoundments at several sites in the Gulf Coast, including Copano and Point Comfort in Texas and Gramercy and Burnside in Louisiana. These sites are close to the coast within a few meters of sea level and are vulnerable to storm surge and sea level rise. The objective of this work was to assess the potential for extracting critical minerals (CMs) including rare earth elements (REEs) from the red mud waste ponds at these sites. Red mud samples were analyzed for CMs and REEs at the Copano site (n=16), the Point Comfort site (n=9), and the Gramercy site (n-1). Results of the analyses show median REE+Y (REY) values for the Copano site (~2000 ppm) that are much higher than those from the Point Comfort site (≤100 ppm). The one sample from Gramercy has even higher REY levels (~ 4000 ppm) than that from the Copano site. Bauxite for both Copano and Gramercy sites were sourced from Jamaica whereas bauxite for Point Comfort was sourced from Jamaica and Brazil.  Median REY concentrations are 12 times (Copano site) to 24 times (Gramercy site) higher than REY concentrations in the upper continental crust. About half of the red mud consists of iron with other important CMs also (Al, Mg, P, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn and Zr). The value for the Rare Earth Oxides (REOs) for the Texas sites is estimated to be $4.5 billion based on ~ 120 million tons of red mud and ~50% extractability of REYs. The REEs in permanent magnet production (Pr+Nd+Tb+Dy) comprise about 80% of the total market valuation for the REOs, or $3.6 billion. Including scandium increases the total value of the REOs to $11.6 billion. Red mud provides a very promising source of REEs and the value of the REEs could partially offset the costs of remediation of the red mud ponds in these coastal environments.  

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412567

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