Today we’re talking about “Rare Earths”

Rare earths, also known as rare earth elements (REE), are a group of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, comprising the 15 lanthanides (from lanthanum to lutetium), plus scandium and yttrium. Despite their name, they are not particularly rare in the Earth’s crust; what makes them "rare" is their dispersion and the difficulty of finding them in economically viable concentrations. These elements possess unique properties, such as high electrical conductivity, magnetism, and heat resistance, making them essential components of modern technology.

Why are they so important?

Rare earths are critical in the manufacture of advanced technological products and in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Their main uses span the following fields:
Electronics: Mobile phones, LED screens, hard drives, and batteries rely on elements like neodymium, dysprosium, and cerium. 
 
Renewable Energy: Permanent magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors require neodymium and praseodymium for their high efficiency. 
 
Defense: Missile guidance systems, radars, and laser technologies use rare earths for their optical and magnetic properties. 
 
Medical Industry: MRI machines and other diagnostic devices employ gadolinium.
In a world increasingly dependent on digitalization and clean energy, the demand for rare earths has grown exponentially, turning them into a strategic resource and a source of geopolitical tensions. However, the primary challenge they present lies in the difficulty of their extraction.

Challenges of Extraction and Processing

Although rare earths are not scarce in geological terms, their extraction and processing pose significant challenges:

Low Concentration: These elements are rarely found in pure or concentrated deposits. They are typically mixed with other minerals, requiring complex separation processes. 
 
Intensive Processes: Extraction involves open-pit or underground mining, followed by chemical techniques such as acid leaching. This generates large amounts of toxic waste, including heavy metals and radioactive materials like thorium and uranium, which are often associated with rare earth deposits. 
 
Environmental Impact: Soil, water, and air pollution are recurring issues. For instance, in China—the world’s largest producer—there have been documented cases of rivers and farmland contaminated by mining waste. 
 
Economic Cost: The necessary infrastructure, refining methods, and environmental regulations (in countries where they are enforced) drive up costs, making production unprofitable without subsidies or economies of scale.

Due to these difficulties, many countries prefer to import processed rare earths rather than develop their own extraction industries.

Major Deposits
While rare earths are present worldwide, the largest and most economically viable deposits are concentrated in a few countries:
China: The undisputed leader, accounting for over 60% of global production and about 37% of known reserves (approximately 44 million tons). The Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia is the largest in the world. China not only dominates extraction but also processing, controlling nearly 90% of the global refined supply. 
Australia: With estimated reserves of 4.1 million tons, Australia is an emerging producer. The Mount Weld mine, operated by Lynas Corporation, is one of the most significant outside China. 
United States: It holds reserves of around 1.8 million tons, with the Mountain Pass mine in California as its main asset. However, much of its production is sent to China for refining. 
Russia: With about 12 million tons in reserves, Russia has significant potential, though its current production is limited. 
Other Countries: Brazil (22 million tons in reserves), India, Vietnam, and Greenland also have notable deposits, but their exploitation is less developed.

Conclusion

Rare earths are a cornerstone of modern technology and the fight against climate change, yet their extraction raises environmental and economic dilemmas. The concentration of production in China has sparked concerns about global dependency and supply security, prompting countries like the United States, Japan, and the European Union to explore alternatives—whether through recycling, developing new deposits, or researching substitutes. In an interconnected and technologically advanced world, rare earths will remain a critical resource and a geopolitical tipping point in the decades to come.
 

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