Background

Strategies for "the Establishment of an Institute for Rare Metals and the Organization and Operation of a Council for Promoting Rare Metals Industry" of which the goal is to set up a government-wide support system were added to the Measure for Developing Rare Metals and Materials Industry (November 2009).

A technology center was established to build and operate an integrated information system that focuses on the development of rare metal technology

• The areas of interest include identification of strategic rare metals, proposition of core original technological assignments, cooperation between demand firms and recycling industry, human resources education, and international collaboration.

History

The Korea Institute for Rare Metals was established to ensure a stable supply of rare metals, build a joint research structure related to rare metals, and provide technological support (January 28, 2010)

2020

• 2020. 01.Korea-China Conference on Rare Earth Materials for Technology Development (Songdo, Incheon)

2019

• 2019. 04.The Opening of “Korea-Uzbek Rare Metals Center” in Uzbekistan (Located in Chirchiq office, Almalyk Mining Corporation)

2017

• 2017. 11.Follow-on MOU between KITECH, Uzbek Ministry of International Trade, and Almalyk Mining Corporation
• 2017. 11.“The 2nd Korea-Uzbek Workshop on Rare Metals” (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

2016

• 2016. 12.“The 1st Korea-Uzbek Workshop on Rare Metals” for rare metals experts of Korea and Uzbekistan
• 2016. 09.Korea-Uzkeb MOU on rare metals was selected as an agenda for Korea-Uzbek economic cooperation council and signed
• 2016. 07.Policy discussion of Korea-Uzkeb cooperation on rare metals (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

2015

• 2015. 09.The 2nd Korea-China Workshop (Beijing, China)
• 2015. 09.The 4th Korea-Japan Workshop (Sendai, Japan)
• 2015. 07.The 3rd field study for high school students (Incheon and Chungnam)
• 2015. 02.The 4th International Consultative Body Workshop (Jeju Island)

2014

• 2014. 07.The 5th International Workshop on Industrial Technology of Rare Metals. & The 5th SME Forum on Industrial Development of Rare Metals
• 2014. 03.The 5th Industry Workshop(ASTAP-23) focusing on topics of ‘rare metal and e-waste’
• 2014. 01.Establishment of Office for International Rare Metals Working Group

2013

• 2013. 12.Establishment of KITECH-IFW Joint Research Laboratory
• 2013. 12.MOU signed with Curtin University, Australia
• 2013. 11.The 4th Korea-Japan Workshop (Japan)
• 2013. 11.The 2013 Korea Int’l Natural Resource & Rare Metals & Composite Material Show (INTRA2013)
• 2013. 10.The 3rd International Rare Metals Workshop jointly held by Korea and Canada
• 2013. 07.The 2nd Training Program for School Teachers and High School Students
• 2013. 04.Inauguration of resident companies at the Corporate Research Facility and the 4th Korea-China Workshop (Incheon)
• 2013. 01.Moved into the Corporate Research Facility at Incheon Technopark

2012

• 2012. 11.The 5th Council for Promoting the Rare Metals Industry
• 2012. 11.The 2nd International Rare Metals Workshop jointly held by Korea and the U.S.A.
• 2012. 10.The 3rd Korea-Japan Workshop and Small-to medium-sized Businesses Forum (Seoul)
• 2012. 07.Training Program for School Teachers in Incheon
• 2012. 05.The 4th Council for Promoting the Rare Metals Industry
• 2012. 05.The 2nd Korea-Germany Workshop and Small-to medium-sized Businesses Forum (Incheon)
• 2012. 03.MOU signed with Nagaoka University, Japan
• 2012. 02.Establishment of International Standards (ITU-T L.1100)
• 2012. 02.Office Rental at Incheon Technopark financed by Incheon City

2011

• 2011. 12.The 1st Small-to medium-sized Businesses Forum for the Development of the Rare Metals Industry
• 2011. 10.MOU signed with University of Indonesia(UI) and Ministry of Industry (MOI), Indonesia
• 2011. 10.The 1st Korea-Indonesia Workshop (Indonesia)
• 2011. 09.The 3rd Council for Promoting the Rare Metals Industry
• 2011. 09.MOU signed with York University, UK
• 2011. 05.The 2nd Council for Promoting the Rare Metals Industry
• 2011. 04.MOU with Ames Lab., U.S.A.
• 2011. 04.Inauguration of the International Consultative Group for Rare Metals
• 2011. 04.The 1st International Workshop on Rare Metals (Incheon)
• 2011. 02.MOU signed with IFW, Germany

2010

• 2010. 01.Inauguration of the Korea Institute for Rare Metals (Incheon Research Center) and Establishment of the Council for Promoting the Rare Metals Industry
• 2010. 01.National budget appropriated to build and support the infrastructure of the rare metals industry (“National Financial Management Planning,” Metals and Chemicals Division of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy

Background and Objective of KIRAM

Background : Growing demand for a principal organization that will systematically promote and strengthen the rare metal industry

As the structure of the domestic rare metals industry is largely dependent upon foreign countries, there has been a growing demand for establishing a new industrial structure that can contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the manufacturing industry. At the same time, as the rare metals industry is believed to be the key driver for new growth and green growth, it has become an imperative to establish a central institution tasked to monitor and orchestrate systematic and consistent promotion of the rare metals industry.

Principle Objective : To build industrial infrastructure that will help strengthen competitiveness of the rate metal industry and to play the role of a professional support center to promote specialized enterprises.

KIRAM identifies strategic rare earth elements, develops core original technologies, builds infrastructure of the rare metals industry, and provides necessary assistance for related private sector firms.

Roles and Functions of the Korea Institute for Rare Metals

Interconnection between the development and storage of natural resources and recycling policy focused on materialization. Promotes the rare metals materials industry, selects strategic rare metals, and introduces core technological tasks.

Active investigation of rare metals mines, Survey on stockpile demands and expansion of storage, Develop, disseminate and expand core technology, Establish pilot plants and support prototype development, Support product tests and conduct evaluation analysis, Resolve difficulties of recycling businesses, Cooperation between circulation of disposed resources and materiali zation businesses, Industry-academic network an international cooperation, Compile statistical data and train technological human resources, Interconnection between the development and storage of natural resources and recycling policy focused on materialization, Promotes the rare metals materials industry, selects strategic rare metals, and introduces core technological tasks

The Korea Institute for Rare Metals

• Resource Development and Reserves
  • Korea Resources Corporation
  • Public Procurement Service
• Materialization
  • Research centers financed by material businesses and consumer companies
• Recycling
  • Korea National Cleaner Production Center
  • Korea Environment Corporation
• Establishment of Networks
  • Industry, academia, overseas research centers etc.

Establishment of the Korea Institute for Rare Metals

A support center for establishing and operating a comprehensive information system with a focus on technological support and development of the rare metals industry

Management of a Comprehensive Information System Regarding Rare Metals

Operates an Open Lab. System interacting with enterprises for improved usability of equipment

Technological development and support for rare metals and establishment of industrial policy

A road map for technological development to select strategic rare metals and introduce core technological tasks, and a comprehensive policy for self-sufficiency of rare metal resources

• Cooperation between industrial technology centers and commercialization centers to nurture the industrial ecosystem for rare metals
• Collaboration among material enterprises, consumer companies, and recycling businesses

Establishment of Infrastructure for Rare Metals Tests and Analyses

Devices for physical property tests, ultrapure analysis and measurement tests

• Educational programs to train industrial human resources and experts
• International cooperation programs for technological exchanges with advanced countries

The Korea Institute for Rare Metals

• Dynamic industry
• Dynamic research activities
• Support for technological development and commercialization

Government/local government bodies

• Financial/administrative support
• Advice on policy directions

Industrial Community

• Technological support
• Technology transfer
• Human resources / equipment support
• Cooperation for industrialization

Commercialization Center/Universities

• Personnel training
• Policy cooperation
• Equipment/human resources support