MineMT software tool to strengthen the UK REE magnet supply chain by enhancing and ensuring strong sustainability credentials

The net-zero transition is accelerating demand for Permanent-Magnet-Synchronous-Motors (PMSMs), which make electric drivetrains for EVs/wind-turbines/water-pumps highly-efficient. Yet, their downside is considerable Rare-Earth-Element (REEs) use in manufacture. REEs and PMSMs are at high-risk of supply disruption against a rising geopolitical tension backdrop; 90% of PMSMs are produced in China. The UK imports nearly 100%, with supply critical to underpin thriving low-carbon economies and demand rising 8-12% yearly \[Mining.com,2022\].

Driving new supply-chains to the UK is difficult as China supplies REEs/PMSMs ~30% cheaper globally \[Schroders,2023\]. Thus, differentiation on 'sustainability' and 'environmental' credentials is key, as this is an area UK companies and UK-bilateral partners could outperform global competitors and diversify supply. But producers can only reduce impacts if overall supply-chain performance can be quantified, however, no industry-specific tools enabling this exist. Whilst Life-Cycle-Sustainability-Assessment (LCSA) provides a comprehensive approach to quantify environmental, social and economic impacts of each supply-chain stage (mine-to-motor), lack of data and standardised methodologies impact accuracy and applicability.

**Minviro**, a UK SME (and spin-out from the world-class Camborne School of Mines), are pioneering world-leading LCA tools for the mineral value-chain to quantify and radically improve their environmental credentials. They have developed a portfolio of ground-breaking LCA-powered industry-targeted software products, including MineLCA and MineBIT (plus circularity add-on MineLOOP), supporting mines/processing facilities/refineries/downstream battery manufacturers to drive-down environmental impacts and comply with increasingly stringent legislation for EU/US trading.

This project aims to build a similar software, 'MineMT, for the REE/PMSM value-chain (mine-to-motor). If successful, this will support:

*...