Research-led perspectives on monazite, rare-earth processing, technology applications, exploration and African market development.
We follow the decisions shaping the sector—from supply-chain investment and exploration methods to the policies and markets influencing project development.
IEA · supply-chain analysis
Extraction, beneficiation, chemical upgrading, separation, refining, alloying and magnet-making are distinct stages. Commercial decisions depend on the element, material form and part of the chain in view.
IEA · Rare Earth ElementsIEA · project pipeline outlook
The project pipeline is uneven across mining, separation, refining and magnet production. Processing and downstream capacity matter alongside the potential of upstream projects.
IEA · Rare Earth ElementsUSGS · 2025 edition, 2024 estimates
USGS mine-production figures are expressed in rare-earth-oxide equivalent. They do not measure refined output or magnet capacity. Units and processing stage must be clear before market shares are compared.
USGS · Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025USGS · 2012; research study · 2024
USGS documents satellite-derived mapping of surface mineral groups and alteration. A 2024 study combined satellite and limited field data in a copper prospectivity case in Pakistan. Neither source validates SatGeo AI or rare-earth exploration results in Sierra Leone.
USGS · Satellite mineral mappingMahboob et al. · Remote sensing and field dataAfrican Development Bank · value-chain analysis
African Development Bank analysis highlights the role of market development, processing choices and regional collaboration in building mineral value chains. Geological potential alone does not define a commercial pathway.
African Development Bank · Rare earth value chainU.S. International Trade Administration · 2026
The U.S. trade guide outlines Sierra Leone’s mining sector and refers to rare-earth potential at exploration stage. This is national context—not evidence of a specific company project, discovery or resource.
ITA · Sierra Leone mining and mineral resourcesAcademic review · 2018
Akiwumi and D’Angelo trace how policy, technology and global commodity cycles have shaped Sierra Leone’s rare-earth landscape. Their account places present-day exploration in a longer regional context.
Akiwumi & D’Angelo · Sierra Leone rare-earth landscapeVision 2035
The UK strategy sets a direction around diverse, responsible and transparent supply networks, skills and circularity. These priorities frame the wider market and policy environment.
UK Government · Vision 2035Critical Raw Materials Act · 2030 benchmarks
The EU Critical Raw Materials Act sets EU-wide benchmarks for domestic extraction, processing and recycling. They matter to the EU’s industrial strategy; they are not targets for an individual company or the UK.
European Commission · Critical Raw Materials ActOECD guidance · 2016 edition
OECD guidance describes a risk-based due-diligence approach for mineral supply chains. It is a practical reference for companies and counterparties, not a certification in itself.
OECD · Due Diligence GuidanceAcademic review · 2018
Akiwumi and D’Angelo document Sierra Leone’s long history of rare-earth geological work, including earlier searches for monazite. This is regional historical context; the group’s southern Sierra Leone exploration is a separate, company-described programme.
Akiwumi & D’Angelo · Sierra Leone rare-earth landscapeIEA · rare-earth supply chains
Neodymium-based permanent magnets support some wind generators, electric motors and compact electronic components. Generator and motor architectures differ, so rare-earth use is design-specific—not universal across all turbines, cars or phones.
IEA · Rare Earth ElementsJRC · wind energy and electric mobility