The Impacts of Mining and Processing Rare Earth Elements

1507 Words4 Pages

Rare earth elements allow for the conveniences shared by modern society. It is the critical components that have made the advancements in technology possible. Its versatility expands thought different media that include: renewable energy, geographic information systems, national security, missile guidance, computer technology, hybrid vehicles, plastics, medical technology and more. All population throughout the world use it regardless if they know it or not. The mining and process of rare earths come at a very high price. They are extremely hard to purify and produce hazardous material that is not easily disposed of. Accidents during the mining and processing of rare earths have caused sever and costly environmental contamination and degradation. China has been the only producer of rare earth metals for years and has restricted its exports. This has led to a worldwide shortage and struggle for countries to supply the demand it requires.

The Impacts of Mining and Processing Rare Earth Elements
Introduction
Few seem to completely understand the technology involved in their everyday lives. It is something we have come to accept. A classic example are the rare earth metals (REM) used to make our everyday lives more convenient, more productive, and safer. These metals make the functionality of modern technology what it is today and what it will be in the future. Rare Earth Metals although found throughout the world, are hard to come by. Their extraction has proven difficult and controversial. There is only one country, China, that is a major producer of rare earth elements (REE). The question of how to get more for the worlds ever increasing demand reigns heavy on the minds of leaders and corporations who need the suppl...

... middle of paper ...

...ry. (n.d.). Molycorp. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://www.molycorp.com/about-us/our-history
Rare earth element. (2013, October 27). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_element
AMES Lab. (n.d.). What are the Rare Earths? Divisio of Material Sciences adn Engineering - Rare Earth Metal. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from https://www.ameslab.gov/dmse/rem/what-are-rare-earths
The Root of Rare-earth Research | Ames Laboratory. (n.d.). The Root of Rare-earth Research | Ames Laboratory. Retrieved October 31, 2013, from https://www.ameslab.gov/news/inquiry/2010-2-root
Capitalist. (2012, February 1). Rare Earth Elements - The Technology Metals (Infographic) | Visual Capitalist. Visual Capitalist. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://www.visualcapitalist.com/portfolio/rare-earth-elements-the-technology-metals-infographic

Open Document