The HAlMan project partner Admiris in collaboration with consortium partners carried out a comprehensive strategic mapping and sourcing activity to identify primary and secondary raw materials suitable for the HAlMan process across Europe. A global assessment was conducted focusing particularly on manganese-rich resources in Europe, including low-grade manganese ores containing significant critical raw materials (CRM) and rare earth element (REE) content. In addition, the consortium evaluated manganese tailings from ore beneficiation processes and ferroalloy industry by-products and wastes, such as FeMn slag, dust, and sludge.
The consortium also identified aluminium dross, aluminium scrap, and incineration bottom ash (IBA) as key secondary reducing agents suitable for aluminothermic reduction processes. Furthermore, potential flux materials including limestone, lime, and dolomite were mapped, covering both primary extraction sources and secondary industrial by-products. The outcome of this work was the creation of an integrated European map of all identified raw material sources.
Selection and acquisition of materials for HAlMan processing
The consortium successfully validated and prioritised raw materials considered most suitable for HAlMan processing. These included marble, limestone and dolomite powder wastes, lime sludge, manganese tailings, and low-grade manganese ores sourced primarily from Romania and Ukraine.
Representative material samples were successfully collected through collaboration between consortium partners and delivered to NTNU and SINTEF, where they were prepared for further laboratory testing and process validation activities.