해사 중 유용광물 회수기술 개발의 경제성 분석

초록

Because of their essential role in the industries and misdistribution, the importance of rare earth elements (REEs) have been highlighted during the past 10 years. R&D for the recovery of valuable minerals in beach sand is thus necessary to help the stable supply of REEs in in terms of resource security. In this study, the economic feasibility of the recovery of valuable minerals in beach sand is analyzed to prepare commercialization. The hurdle rate approach is applied on the framework of benefit-cost analysis. The sensitivity analysis for the mineral prices, exchange rate, hurdle rate, CAPEX/OPEX ratio, and discount rate are also conducted. As results, the hurdle cost was estimated at 10,160~30,480 Korean Won (KRW) per ton and net present value was estimated at 33.84~101.60 billion KRW for the discount rate of 3.49%. Since the equipment investment cost of the pilot plant was 1,700 KRW per ton, the rate of return of the project for the recovery of valuable minerals in beach sand is expected to be higher than our hurdle rate (15%).

키워드