33 / 123
Barry Sweet/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom
CALIFORNIA CONNECTION
Visit the official California state website and
search for “Mountain Pass rare earth
element mine” to learn more about this site.
Write a short text about the current state of
the mine.
ASK QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY
After reading this feature, brainstorm three
questions about the topic of REEs. Use print
or online resources to research answers to
your questions. Share what you have learned
with your class.
C
C
C
S
E
P
D
C
I
In Rare Form
High demand, low supply?
Rare earth elements (REEs) include scandium
(SC-21), yttrium (Y-39), and 15 others.
Rare
is a
misnomer; many (but not all) REEs are actually
quite common. They are found in Earth’s crust
all over the world. However, it is not easy to find
a high concentration of these elements in one
place. Without a high concentration, mining is
not cost-effective. In addition, it can be difficult
to separate the elements from ore and from
one another when they occur in the same area,
and mining REEs in a way that does not harm
the environment is complicated and expensive.
REEs are in demand because of their
desirable qualities, which vary from element
to element. These include magnetic,
electrical, mechanical, chemical, and elastic
properties. REEs are extremely important in
the production of high-tech products, such as
magnets, radar, and sonar, as well as everyday
products, such as batteries and televisions.
Many renewable energy technologies, from
wind turbines to solar cells, also rely on REEs.
China mines the vast majority of the total world
production of REEs. As China becomes more
developed, it may need more REEs for its own
use, and it might start exporting smaller amounts
of REEs to other countries. Soon, worldwide
demand for REEs may exceed the supply that
China provides. However, other countries—
including Australia, Russia, India, and Brazil—are
mining REEs, although China’s output is much
greater than all the rest put together.
The United States also has REE deposits and
is working to open its own mines. Until the U.S.
can open its own mines, what can the country
do to ensure its supply of REEs? Recycling
REEs from e-waste is difficult and expensive,
so it is not as common as it could be. New
processes, however, have made the process
easier and cheaper, and REE recycling will
most likely be on the rise in the future.
What do smartphones, hybrid vehicles, and
lasers have in common? Components used
in all three are manufactured with rare earth
elements (REE). Without REEs, many products
could not function. Currently, the United States
obtains REEs by trading with China, where
most REE mines are located.
Rare earth elements are difficult to mine without negative
effects on the environment.
SCIENCE & SOCIETY
Module 2 • Science & Society
73