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All Rare Earth Elements Education Resources

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China Dialogue- ‘The bottleneck of a low-carbon future’

Article highlights the supply constraints challenges associated with depleted rare earth reserves for developing the technologies needed for a low-carbon future with a focus on the context of China (looking at both domestic and global demand). Explains the background of the development of rare earth industry in China and its environmental consequences, using infographics and maps.


Carbon Brief- ‘Explainer: These six metals are key to a low-carbon future’

An explainer on the importance of critical minerals to green technological developments necessary for meeting global climate change aims and the challenges posed by potential supply shortages for decarbonisation. Uses images, graphs, videos and makes specific connections between different critical minerals and low-carbon technologies.


British Geological Survey- ‘Global rare earth element (REE) mines, deposits and occurrences map (May 2021)’

Useful global map by the British Geological Survey of REE mines, deposits and occurrences.

Mon 28 Feb 2022, 13:51 | Tags: Geography, Rare Earth Mining, UK

Seeker- ‘These Rare Elements Are Key to Renewable Energy, But What If They Run Out?’

Short explainer video on the importance of REEs for renewable energy expansion, while pointing out the environmental and health impacts of REE extraction/processing and resource supply constraints.


International Energy Agency- ‘The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions’

Detailed report from the IEA on the key role of critical minerals including REEs in shifting towards renewable energy and mitigating against climate change through the use of key statistics and useful graphs. Also highlights the challenges to energy security posed by the available and reliable supply of critical minerals.



‘Rare Earth (2021)’

A short film highlighting the environmental impacts caused by REE mining in Baotou, China:


The PRI (Principles of Responsible Investment) Podcast- ‘Rare earth minerals’

A short podcast with Hongqiao Liu from China Water Risk on the environmental sustainability issues with the supply of REEs, including the technology used for the mining process


Science History Institute- ‘Rare Earths: The Hidden Cost to Their Magic’

A podcast on the hidden environmental damage caused by the extraction and processing of REEs and potential scientific solutions to these problems


Kleinman Center for Energy Policy- ‘Rare Earth Elements: A Resource Constraint of the Energy Transition’

An explainer on the growing for REEs as a clean energy solution- including useful graphs such as REE demand by sector- but also the environmental costs of REE mining and policy solutions.



New Security Beat- ‘As China Adjusts for “True Cost” of Rare Earths, What Does It Mean for Decarbonization?’

A summary article based on the report, ‘Rare Earths: Shades of Grey,’ published by China Water Risk, a Hong Kong non-profit initiative, describing the regulatory plans and clean-up developments in China in response to the environmental and health costs caused by REE mining which are not captured in the current prices of REEs (hence, these are not the true costs).


Harvard International Review- ‘Not So “Green” Technology: The Complicated Legacy of Rare Earth Mining’

A summary article about the negative and health effects of rare earth mining, particularly groundwater contamination and toxic waste, drawing on examples from China.



Los Angeles Times- The hidden costs of China’s rare-earth trade

Article describing the environmental degradation and toxic pollution caused by REE mining in Jiangxi Province, China and the health risks for nearby villagers (as well as some small-scale protests).


BBC- The dystopian lake filled by the world’s tech lust

An article (written in a journalistic/immersive style and with various photos of the site) on the environmental costs of rare earth mining in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, one of the industrial centres of rare earth mining production, with a particular focus on the artificial toxic lake in Baotao, created to be a tailings pond.


China Wrestles with the Toxic Aftermath of Rare Earth Mining

An article on the toxic impacts and legacies of rare earth mining in China and the significant challenges and costs of clean-up operations


Metals in a Low-Carbon Economy: Resource Scarcity, Climate Change and Business in a Finite World

A report produced by experts from the Stockholm Environment Institute and Leeds Uni about REE, provides an overview of REE industry through business perspective


PODCAST - Julie Klinger on China’s rare earth frontier

An interesting podcast talks about REE production in China.

21:30: How China’s near-monopoly on rare earths came to be

32:49: Mining and environmental degradation

45:32: China’s decision to slow down rare earth production and its consequences



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