All Rare Earth Elements Education Resources
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.
MIT Podcast- ‘Rare Earths for the Common People’
A podcast telling rich stories of domestic politics and local communities affected by REE mining in China, covering governance and environmental issues. They touch on protests against REE production from villagers in Guangxi province
Environmental Justice Atlas- ‘Lynas Refinery in Kuantan, Malaysia’
Short case summary of an international environmental campaign against a long-established rare earth refinery in Malaysia based on concerns around ecological and health impacts, particularly related to the company’s dumping of radioactive waste
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
The Guardian- ‘The race for rare earth minerals: can Australia fuel the electric vehicle revolution?’
Recent article on the geography of REE production, China’s dominance of the REE supply chain and how Australia is planning to develop its own REE extraction and production sites to meet growing demand
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.
Green Biz- ‘Reimagining rare earth elements in a sacrifice zone-free future’
Short article on the environmental degradation caused by rare earth mining in Baotao, China using the concept of ‘sacrifice zones’. It also highlights alternative visions for more sustainable and more just production of REEs, for instance through green chemistry or product re-design.
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
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.
Forbes- ‘A Sustainable Way To Mine Rare Earth Elements From Old Tech Devices: Agromining Explained’
Discussion around agro-mining as a more sustainable and environmentally damaging form of REE extraction.
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.
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
Elemental Business: Rare Earths
A 18 mins Podcaset about REE in business by BBC.