Rare earth elements (REEs) are scattered through the Earth's crust. Coveted by many, they're bargaining chips in world politics. REES are used in science, technology, electric vehicles and space exploration.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metallic elements on the periodic table (scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanide series). They aren't especially rare, just hard to get.
For example, cerium is more abundant in the Earth's crust than copper. Often together in nature, the REEs are used in high tech due to their unique electronic, optical and magnetic properties.
Formation & Distribution of REEs
Rare earth elements occur naturally, formed through geological processes in the Earth's crust. Magmatic differentiation, hydrothermal alteration and weathering create the deposits.
Common rock types with REEs include carbonatites, alkaline igneous rocks and ion-adsorption clays. They're dispersed in minerals including bastnäsite, monazite, and xenotime. Granitic pegmatites are a source.
The minerals are mined, then the REEs separated with both physical and chemical processes. The strong chemical similarity of the elements complicates extraction.
Uses Across Industries
The magnetic, luminescent, and catalytic properties of REEs are suited to a wide range of uses.
Aerospace
REEs are used in lightweight, high-strength alloys for aircraft construction. Samarium-cobalt magnets function in high-performance motors and actuators, and phosphors containing REEs enhance radar and navigation systems.
In the aerospace sector, neodymium and praseodymium help create lightweight, high-strength magnets for jet engines and turbines.
Robotics
High-strength magnets based on neodymium and dysprosium are used for servo motors driving robotic arms and other actuators. The robotics industry increasingly relies on rare earth elements for precision components.
Technology
Smartphones and Laptops: Cerium for polishing screens, lanthanum for camera lenses, and other REEs for batteries and speakers.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Neodymium magnets are used for the motors of electric vehicles.
Wind Turbines: Neodymium magnets enable the efficient generation of electricity in modern wind turbines.
Medical Imaging: Gadolinium-based contrast agents enhance MRI scans, providing clear images.
Lighting: REEs are used in phosphors for fluorescent and LED lighting.
Data: Smarium-cobalt and neodymium magnets are used in hard drives for data storage.
Catalysis: Cerium is used in catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.
Agriculture: REEs can be used as micronutrient fertilizers to improve crop yields.
Nuclear Energy: Rare earth elements are used in control rods, neutron absorbers, and to regulate nuclear reactions.
Europium: Used in control rods to regulate nuclear reactors.
Dysprosium: Used in control rods and mixed in alloys used in nuclear reactors.
Gadolinium: Used in nuclear reactors, neutron radiography, and to shut down reactors.
Countries With the Most REEs
China
Vietnam
Brazil
Russia
India
Finance: REEs Value and Performance in Stocks
Due to their importance and the dynamics of supply and demand, the value of REEs is closely linked to the industries built around them. For companies in mining, processing, and manufacturing, stock prices can fluctuate as much as 30%
They're based on factors such as global demand for electronics, EVs and renewable energy; geopolitical events and trade policies affecting supply chains.
Tech advancements also affect the need for certain REEs. Investing in REE-related companies can be lucrative but risky.
Environment
Water Pollution: Mining and processing activities can generate large amounts of wastewater containing heavy metals and radioactive materials.
Soil Contamination: Mine tailings and waste disposal can contaminate soil with harmful substances.
Air Pollution: Processing plants can emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and fluoride.
Habitat Destruction: Mining operations can lead to deforestation and habitat loss.
Extraction processes often lead to land degradation, habitat destruction, and groundwater contamination. 2.5 million tons of toxic waste can be produced per one ton of rare earth elements extracted.
Recycling rare earth elements from electronic waste is becoming a strategy for sustainability and sometimes life itself. Emerging technologies hope to reduce the dependency on rare earth elements.
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