All articles tagged with #rare earth elements
A two-billion-year pattern shows ancient subduction enriched the mantle with rare earth ingredients, and later melting formed the deposits. This mantle fertilization explains why rare earth deposits cluster where they do and why there is a long time lag between enrichment and mineralization, providing a new framework to guide future exploration of critical metals for modern tech.
Chinese scientists have identified two previously unknown lunar minerals, magnesiochangesite-(Y) and changesite-(Ce), from Chang'e-5 samples. Both belong to the merrillite group and were officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association, marking a continuation of China’s lunar mineral discoveries. The ultra-rare, micrometer-scale crystals—found in Oceanus Procellarum material and a lunar meteorite—reveal unique crystal structures not seen on Earth and offer new insights into the Moon’s magmatic history and potential rare-earth resources for future in-situ utilization. Scientists used a suite of advanced instruments to confirm the minerals’ composition and structure, underscoring the complexity of lunar soil and its geological diversity.
A Science Advances study links rare earth element formation to fertilized mantle regions created by fluids released at ancient subduction zones; alkaline and carbonatite magmas hosting these elements cluster above these fertilized mantle zones, and a majority of known deposits lie there, offering a targeted strategy for locating large reserves.
Japan conducted a deep-sea mining test near Minamitorishima, successfully pumping mud from about 6,000 meters depth rich in rare earth elements, a government-led milestone toward diversifying supply away from China. The test focuses on proving the pumping capability rather than immediate commercial volumes, with plans to scale to hundreds of tons per day in the future, while environmental impacts and international regulatory rules for seabed mining remain contested.
The Trump administration is pursuing a U.S. strategic reserve for rare earth elements to reduce dependence on foreign sources and bolster national security by safeguarding minerals crucial for electronics and defense.
The piece explains that Trump’s Greenland framework is said to include US rights to minerals, as Greenland is believed to host oil and gas and a large share of Europe-listed critical minerals (about 25 of 34), including graphite, niobium and titanium. The move fits a broader US aim to curb China’s rare-earth dominance and secure strategic resources, but mining there faces high costs, harsh weather, limited infrastructure and just two productive mines despite many exploration permits. Melting ice could ease fieldwork and open opportunities, but actual development remains uncertain.
Greenland sits on vast, largely under‑ice reserves of critical resources—rare earth elements, other minerals, and substantial hydrocarbons—tied to its complex geologic history. While onshore and sub-ice deposits could reshape the global supply of REEs and energy minerals, exploration is expensive, environmentally sensitive, and tightly regulated, with climate-driven ice melt potentially both opening and complicating access.
Greenland's harsh environment, lack of infrastructure, and complex geology make mining rare earth elements difficult, challenging Trump's idea of taking control of the island for resource security, and highlighting geopolitical motives over practical supply solutions.
Greenland, rich in natural resources including critical raw materials like lithium and rare earth elements, has significant mineral and hydrocarbon potential due to its complex geological history. However, climate change-induced ice melt exposes these resources but complicates sustainable extraction, raising environmental and geopolitical concerns amid increasing interest from countries like the US and Denmark.
China has established a near-monopoly on refining rare earth elements, crucial for electronics and defense, through decades of strategic control, industry consolidation, and environmental neglect, which has led to global reliance on Chinese supply and recent efforts by the US to develop independent sources.
Nvidia plans to restart sales of its H20 AI chip in China, a move linked to ongoing trade discussions involving rare earth elements, which are crucial for technology and heavily mined in China. This decision has sparked debate over export controls and national security, with Nvidia asserting it is only offering China a less advanced chip. The U.S. continues to refine its export policies for AI chips amid broader trade tensions with China.
China and the US have confirmed a trade framework agreement, with the US agreeing to lift restrictions and China to review export applications, signaling a potential easing of trade tensions. The deal follows earlier talks and aims to ensure supply of critical rare earth elements, while China prepares for diplomatic visits to Europe. Shares in global markets rose on signs of improved US-China relations.
Scientists discovered an ancient underwater island near the Rio Grande rich in rare earth elements, which could provide new insights into Earth's history, ancient civilizations, and supply critical resources for modern technology.
The automotive industry is facing significant challenges due to China's recent export restrictions on rare earth elements, crucial for vehicle manufacturing, leading to production delays and potential shutdowns across Europe and Japan, as industry players seek alternatives and call for diplomatic solutions.
A study by The University of Texas at Austin reveals that coal ash in the U.S. contains up to 11 million tons of rare earth elements, potentially boosting domestic supply without new mining. This discovery could reduce reliance on imports, mainly from China, and transform coal ash from waste to a valuable resource. The research highlights the potential for extracting these elements from coal ash, which is abundant and already processed, though challenges remain in developing the necessary extraction infrastructure.