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Deployment and Retrieval of Mineral Samplers
Published on: January 20, 2026
Chelation-Driven Chemistry Controls Dissolution Pathways for Facile Critical Mineral Recovery from Ultramafic
Keerthana Krishnan1, Radha Kishan Motkuri1, Keju Yan1
1Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States.
JACS Au
|May 29, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a chelation strategy for efficient nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) recovery from rocks. Optimized conditions achieved high extraction rates, offering a new pathway for critical mineral extraction.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Critical minerals like nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) are essential for modern technologies, including energy storage and advanced alloys.
- Efficient and sustainable recovery methods are crucial to meet growing global demand and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.
- Ultramafic rocks represent a significant, yet often challenging, resource for these vital elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a chelation-driven strategy for enhancing critical mineral recovery from ultramafic rocks.
- To systematically investigate the key factors controlling mineral extraction efficiency using chelating agents.
- To demonstrate the potential of this approach for large-scale mineral recovery from unconventional resources.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 1,3-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1,3-PDTA) as model chelating agents.
- Investigated the influence of metal-ligand chelate stability, interfacial reactivity, and ring strain on mineral dissolution rates.
- Conducted experiments varying fluid exchange and fluid-to-rock ratios to optimize extraction parameters.
Main Results:
- Chelate stability was identified as a primary control on mineral-fluid interfacial reactivity and dissolution rates.
- Optimized conditions yielded high extraction efficiencies: approximately 95% for Ni and 80% for Mn.
- Extrapolation to the Twin Sisters Formation suggests potential recovery exceeding global Ni and Mn production levels.
Conclusions:
- Chelation chemistry offers a tunable and effective method for critical mineral extraction from ultramafic rocks.
- This strategy can unlock unconventional resources, enhancing supply chain security for Ni and Mn.
- The findings support both in situ and ex situ mining applications, presenting a transformative approach to mineral recovery.
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