A new report finds significant deposits of rare earth elements in 14 states, with the largest known deposits at Mountain Pass, California; Bokan Mountain, Alaska; and the Bear Lodge Mountains, Wyoming. "Placer" deposits are sandy sediments that sometimes contain rare earths. Phosphorite deposits, which mostly occur in the southeastern US, sometimes contain the rare earth elements yttrium and lanthanum (Image: USGS)US Reserves Of Rare Earth Elements Assessed For First Time -- New Scientist
The US has 13 million tonnes of rare earth elements but it would take years to extract them, suggests the first detailed report on the country's supply.
"Rare earth" is an alternative name for the lanthanides – elements 57 to 71 – plus yttrium and scandium. The elements are integral to modern life, and are used in everything from disc drives, hybrid cars and sunglasses to lasers and aircraft used by the military.
China controls 97 per cent of the world's supply and has been tightening its export quotas, sparking concerns that the rare earths could live up to their name.
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My Comment: In its last confrontation with Japan, China did not hesitate to use its leverage on rare earth supplies by denying it to Japan. What makes anyone think they will not use it again.