As part of the SPO-CRAM project, an IT tool has been developed to support the decision-making process in assessing the prospects for the recovery of selected critical raw materials (CRM) from slags generated in zinc and lead (Zn-Pb) metallurgy. The tool consists of the following elements:
REE CALCULATOR, which allows for the estimation of the potential/theoretical value of rare earth elements (REE) present in slags deposited in the landfill.
SPOCRAM APPLICATION is a key component of the developed IT tool. The program is integrated with a database containing the location, descriptive data of the landfill or waste producer, and the chemical composition of the waste, including the content of selected critical raw materials (CRM), with a particular focus on rare earth elements (REE).
For each site, an economic analysis of rare earth metal recovery from slag waste is conducted using the Dynamic Unit Cost (DGC) method and the Net Present Value (NPV) method. The user receives recommendations regarding the profitability of the investment.
Currently, the SPOCRAM application is populated with research data for five “historical” slag landfills and two sites from ongoing slag production. After the analysis is conducted, a report is generated containing the following elements:
- Basic landfill data, including geographical coordinates, location, the name of the plant from which the waste originates, surface area, volume, and condition.
- Elemental composition of the stored material, presented in three tables (total composition, critical raw material content, rare earth element content) and visualized in three pie charts.
- Economic analysis, provided if rare earth elements are present in the material.
The FORM is a component of the tool that allows users to add their own site (either slags stored in a landfill or slags from ongoing production) to the database. The user will receive an analysis report via email (to the address provided in the form), and if they consent, their data will be available in the web application.
A SURVEY has also been prepared to assess user satisfaction with the SPO-CRAM tool and to help us expand its features in the future. The survey consists of 9 questions, and we encourage you to complete it.