RARE EARTH METALS
Rare earth metals are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They are also called lanthanoids, because the most abundant members of the group are sometimes referred to collectively as “the lanthanides”. The rare earth elements are all metals, and have very similar properties, so they are difficult to distinguish from one another.
These elements are found in many minerals, but they are often found in small concentrations that are too little to economically recover. Rare earths are not actually rare, but they are often difficult to access, which is why they remain economically viable despite their availability in the earth’s crust.
Rare earths have many industrial and commercial applications. The most important use of these elements is in the production of powerful, lightweight permanent magnets. Rare earth magnets are used for many different applications, such as audio systems, wind turbines, computer hard drives, and electric motors. They are also used in the production of catalytic converters, LCD screens, and halogen-based fluorescent lights.
Other rare earths are used to create colors in lasers and phosphors, as well as in alloys. They are also used to make glass, ceramics, and polishing compounds. They are even used in the production of some kinds of batteries. Some rare earths are used as pharmaceutical agents, and others have important uses in nuclear power plants.
In light of their importance in industry and technology, rare earth elements have become more widely sought after over the past decade. They are often sourced from mines in China, which is currently the world’s leading supplier of rare earth metals. This means that the Chinese market is subject to considerable geopolitical risk, which can affect the availability and cost of rare earths for countries that depend on Chinese exports for their supplies.
The demand for rare earths is only expected to grow in the coming years, as more industries and sectors become dependent on the use of these powerful, lightweight metals. As such, many countries are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on Chinese imports, either by seeking out alternative sources or investing in domestic production of these elements.
In summary, rare earth metals are a set of seventeen chemical elements used for a variety of industrial and technological applications. They are often sourced from mines in China, but many countries are looking for alternative sources or ways to develop their own domestic supplies. The demand for these elements is only expected to increase in the future, which makes them an important commodity to understand.
