Rare earths news items are becoming more frequent. Although they are not often found in sufficient concentrations to permit economic exploitation, rare earths elements are not really uncommon. The seventeen elements that it is made up are common on the earth’s crust though they are not concentrated together very often. Fifteen oxides of the element lanthanide are included in rare earth, and also the elements scandium, and yttrium, found on the periodic table.
One hypothesis is that the elements concerned entail a significantly unusual combination of minerals and events which make the planet earth an uncommon place in the universe. If this is true than it is unlikely that complex life forms will exist outside of Earth since the planet is unique. However, the contrary view is that Earth is a common rocky planet in the universe. If this is true, it follows that life similar to that found on Earth will probably exist elsewhere in the universe. So, the issue of whether we will ever discover aliens in space is connected with the geological origins of the earth.
The element, ‘Yterite’ is named after a place in Sweden where it was discovered around 1800. The remaining constituent elements were isolated one by one as the years unfolded. As technology has evolved the elements have become more useful as components of sophisticated technology. With its growing importance in manufacture have come social and political considerations.
Rare earths are used in equipment that includes batteries and magnets. Many new inventions in fields such as robotics and electric cars depend on such components. Consequently demand increases steadily, and will probably continue to do so into the future as technology becomes yet more sophisticated. Increase in demand has obvious financial implications.
At first, India and Brazil were the main producers, but important deposits were found in South Africa in the 1950s. When China began to open its markets to the world in the 1970s, it also became the main producer of and now dominates world supply. It is produced mainly in Inner Mongolia, but there are also producers in the south of the country. Although small amounts are still produced in South Africa, China has become the dominant producer controlling world supply.
Since it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) China (WTO) benefited in many respects from improved trading opportunities, but it has also acquired obligations to abide by regulations imposed by the WTO on its members. One of these is to abstain from undue central government interference in the trade of strategic minerals.
Some WTO members have been concerned that China, with 90% of the world’s resources, has imposed some bans on export, and restrictions on production. It has been claimed that this is for political purposes and will give China strategic advantages in military and political spheres. There have been representations at the WTO forum.
However, China claims to be motivated by environmental concerns. It points to the environmental considerations. The production and processing of the material does entail radio active and other toxic waste. The means of production do have to be carefully controlled in order to prevent pollution. China claims that it actions in banning and restricting production is motivated by such concerns, and not by a desire to gain strategic advances in world political power.
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