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

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

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

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:28:22 GMT

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’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:28:00 GMT

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- ‘Rare Earth Mining of Chalco, Yulin, Guangxi, China’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:26:48 GMT

Short case summary of protests which took place in a village in Guanxi, China due to concerns around pollution from a new REE mining project, particularly related to potential impacts on drinking water. Summarises the broader context of REE extraction and environmental impacts in China

Huber and Steininger (2022)- ‘Critical sustainability issues in the production of wind and solar electricity generation as well as storage facilities and possible solutions’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:25:59 GMT

Recent article summarising the supply chain risks associated with critical mineral production, including rare earths, across human rights violations, poor governance and corruption in the mining sector and toxicity, as well as possible regulatory solutions to these problems. Includes a useful table in the introduction highlighting the sustainability/supply chain issues for each of the relevant critical minerals including REEs:

Sustainalytics- ‘Implications of the use of rare-earth elements in the wind energy market’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:25:03 GMT

Summary of the social, environmental and governance impacts of rare earth mining, as well as the geopolitical aspects of REE production:

Science History Institute- ‘Rare Earth Elements: The Intersection of Science and Society’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:22:29 GMT

Video showcasing talks and discussions on the intersection of science and society around REE developments, including as they relation to production and recycling and low-carbon futures:

Smithsonian Mag- ‘Podcast: All About Rare Earth Elements, the ‘Vitamins’ Of Modern Society’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:57:33 GMT

A podcast with Professor Julie Klinger on the geopolitics of rare earths and the supply issues surrounding REEs

NPR- ‘The Strategic Value Of Rare Earths’

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:56:37 GMT

A short podcast on the supply chain dimensions of rare earths and on the US seeking to becoming self-sufficient in REE production, focusing on the Mountain Pass mine in California, the only REE mine in the country (at the time):

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