Promethium

Primary Applications

Specialized nuclear batteries, thickness gauges, research applications

Mining Significance

Promethium has no economically mineable natural ore because all of its isotopes are radioactive and only trace quantities occur naturally. Commercial or research quantities are produced primarily as fission products in nuclear reactors rather than by conventional mining. For a mining-focused site, promethium is therefore best treated as an exceptional element with no practical mineral extraction pathway.

Industries

None listed
61
Pm
Promethium
144.91

Key Properties

  • Radioactive rare-earth element with no stable isotopes.
  • Occurs naturally only in extremely small trace quantities.
  • Chemically behaves similarly to neighboring lanthanides.
  • Promethium-147 is a beta emitter used in specialized applications.
  • Not produced through conventional mineral mining.