All Rare Earth Elements Education Resources
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)- ‘Green Conflict Minerals: The fuels of conflict in the transition to a low-carbon economy’
Detailed report on the social conflicts and local grievances which may be exacerbated by green mineral extraction. Looks at country cases where governance of the mining sector is ‘weak’, meaning a higher risk of human rights abuses, labour exploitation, social conflicts and environmental damage. Uses the example of REE mining in Baotao, China. Alongside facts and figures, includes an interactive map to highlight country-level measures of fragility and corruption across critical mineral deposits.
The Guardian- ‘Dirty, dangerous and destructive – the elements of a technology boom’
Article summarising the labour exploitation, dangerous working conditions and lack of health & safety protections associated with REE mining (as well as with e-waste disposal):
University of Birmingham- ‘How can we secure a responsible supply of critical materials for the 21st century economy?’
Research being carried out on finding technological solutions to supply chain and sustainability challenges with REE production, notably through the development of technologies to recycle and reuse lithium-ion batteries or alternative kinds of batteries
Toxic News- ‘Rare Earthenware: photography, pottery, and pollution’
On the uneven toxic geographies of REE extraction and processing through the showcasing of a collaborative photography/documentary project (called ‘Rare Earthenware’) to make these issues visible. Uses photos and a short film to show the toxic journey from source to product, including the extraction site, factory and shipping container.
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.
Yale School of the Environment- ‘Boom in Mining Rare Earths Poses Mounting Toxic Risks’
Highlights the toxic and radioactive waste generated by REE mining and processing plants using examples from Malaysia, Brazil and China
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).
Spark- ‘The Environmental Struggle Over Rare-Earth Elements For A Green Future’.
On the environmental impacts of rare earth mining and on the search for more environmentally-friendly ways of processing the REE materials.
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
Podcast | Where Will We Get the Rare Earth Minerals for Our Electric Cars?
Very interesting 22 mins podcast about REE’s impacts on electric cars
China to Form Two Rare Earth Giants to Strengthen Pricing Power
An article discusses the forming of REE monopoly by Chinese government
Rare Earth Magnets and Motors: A European Call for Action
A report produced by European Raw Material Alliance discusses the importance of REE in making vehicles and motors
The Rare Earth Elements by the British Geological Survey
A report produced by the Natural Environmental Research Council of Britain. It talks every aspects of REE, such as chemistry, extraction, trading in the UK
Rare Earths in the Trade Dispute Between the US and China: A Deja Vu
An article discusses the trade drama between China and the US, including interesting statistics
Rare Earth Elements
Wikipedia has pictures of each rare earth elements and a brief introduction of REEs
A whole new world for rare earths
An article discusses the chemistry and history of REEs
Rare Earth Element (Overview)
An encyclopedia about REE. This website includes the electronic structure and ionic radius, separation chemistry (Ion exchange, solvent extraction), the chemical process the prepare the REE metals, the properties of the metals (crystal structures, electrical properties...), compounds of REE, nuclear properties, and toxicity of REE