History: Editors Note: This scenario and video were repeatedly adapted for the US -China trade agreement that has been achieved with the system to eliminate Chinese export restrictions on rare land minerals. History was first published in 2025. 28 February.
Rare ground minerals are used in almost every technology you can think about.
They are located in mobile phones, medical devices, wind farms, weapons and more.
But who are they? And why are they important? And are they really rare?
:: What are rare land and why are they important?
:: Julie Michelle Klinger, geographer
“So the term ‘Rare Earth’s elements’ refers to 17 chemically similar elements in the Lantanide series.”
These are Professor Julie Michelle Klinger, a geographer and senior visiting the Institute of Human Sciences.
“So if you can portray the periodic table, that is that tape at the bottom. The elements of 57 to 71 plus scandal and yttrium.”
Eric Onstad, a special correspondent of Reuters goods, has some history.
:: Eric OnStad, Specialist, Goods, Reuters
“First of all, in 1787 near the village called Ytterby, first discovered the Swedish mining. This is reflected in the two rare lands, Yttrium and Ytterbium, named the other rare land, Promethium, was named one of the discovers who have been accounting for the Greek God who stole and gave it to the man.
:: Who are they used for?
Klinger: “They are often described as vitamins or industrial spice because they allowed our technology to become smaller, faster, stronger and more resistant.”
Elements such as Lanthanum and Cerium, some of the most common rare ground used in TVs and lighting …
Meanwhile, the application of Erbium and Yttrium can range from nuclear energy to lasers.
OnStad: “There are two wide categories that have actually pointed out. The first is military use, and it can be from night glasses to accurate missiles to radar. And, of course, this is a very sensitive problem for nations wishing to protect their access to such minerals. The second area is associated with energy transition. Turbines.
:: What is the environmental impact of extraction?
KLINGER: “This is actually due to challenges, heavy energy and resources and pollution risk related to the improvement of rare land elements that production has historically focused on so few places.”
Recycling of rare land often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste.
More greener technologies are being developed, but they are not yet widely used.
OnStad: “Another problem is that some of the fields of rare land are radioactive. They include uranium and toris. So some countries are not interested in being excavated in their country.”
:: are they really rare?
But are they really rare? Really …
OnStad: “They are found all over the world. And when it comes to deposits, no, they are actually not rare. Sometimes their rare occurrence is very small. They are also mixed with all other minerals. Thus, difficulties sometimes pull out every rare land from all other minerals.”