Skip to main content Skip to navigation

All Rare Earth Elements Education Resources

Select tags to filter on

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)- ‘The geopolitics of Chinaʹs rare earths: a glimpse of things to come in a resource-scarce world?’

A summary paper of the global political dimensions of rare earth production, focusing on China’s dominance of the REE market and its rare earth-related policies. Puts these into a broader context of growing global REE demand and the key role of rare earths in developing green technologies.


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).


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