Rare Earths in the Just Transition: Connecting Global Inequalities in REE Commodity Chains » All Rare Earth Elements Education Resources (tag [Rare Earth Tech])

Contemporary Global Rare Earth Politics: Persistent Myths, Policy Challenges, and Possible Pathways Forward

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 17:24:25 GMT

An interesting lecture by Dr. Julie Klinger

Rare earths critical to net zero technology

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 17:21:18 GMT

The Guardian- ‘Dirty, dangerous and destructive – the elements of a technology boom’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:23:15 GMT

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?’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:55:50 GMT

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

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

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:52:49 GMT

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’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:20:00 GMT

Highlights the toxic and radioactive waste generated by REE mining and processing plants using examples from Malaysia, Brazil and China

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

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:18:00 GMT

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

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

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:16:23 GMT

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?’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:14:46 GMT

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’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:14:01 GMT

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