Rare earth elements: Where in the world are they?
Most rare earth elements find their uses as catalysts and magnets in traditional and low-carbon technologies.
www.mining.comRare earth elements remain a group of 17 including scandium, yttrium, the 15 lanthanides from lanthanum to lutetium, occurring together in numerous ore deposits that are essential to magnets, catalysts, as well as clean-energy tech. Cerium is the most plentiful REE in the crust, whereas promethium does not occur naturally and is radioactive. Worldwide supply lines have historically depended on a few nations for mining and processing, driving continuous diversification efforts amid price volatility due to mining, processing, and geopolitical factors. American Molycorp began production at Mountain Pass and aims for full capacity in 2014, with a facility at Mountain for processing. Rare earth elements are used as catalysts and magnets across modern technology, supporting clean-energy apps and advanced manufacturing. These global significance has prompted diversification and supply chain reforms to mitigate price swings from mining, processing, and geopolitical factors. Overall, rare-earth elements remain vital to modern technology and green energy advancement.