Rare Earth Minerals

     You have some in your smart phone.

     Much has developed since the discovery of oil in the late 1800s. Now we're seeking, finding, using and negotiating with China over tons of "rare earth minerals." Each advancement in human activity comes with its problems. The global economy itself could be disrupted.

     The U.S. relies on China (our friendly enemy) for 70 percent of our rare earth imports. Many technologies wouldn't exist without them, including smart phones, electric vehicles, missile guidance systems and some cancer therapies. 

Heather Frank, WORLD magazine

     The minerals aren't rare, but discovering unique chemical and physical properties in concentrated forms is costly. These metals are critical to sectors of U.S. and global economies. We depend on them for clean energy, LED lighting, and military equipment. 

     China took over the market in the 1990s when U.S. companies began offshoring processing, in response to environmental restrictions here at home. Cheap labor and heavy government subsidization boosted China's output. China now controls over 90 percent of global refining and 60 percent of production.  

     Some companies - Toyota and BMW - developed technologies to reduce or eliminate need for rare earth. In July, the War Department invested $400 million in a company in Nebraska, the only U.S. site for mining. Nine departments of the War Department awarded $10 million in contracts. 

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