I just read about the discovery of the largest rare earth elements deposit in Europe: 1 million tonnes of metal found beneath the ground in north Sweden. Apparently this discovery could help reduce Europe’s dependence on China as the European Union has been trying to shift away from China, but the discovery of the minerals has raised environmental concerns. But my question was, what the heck are so called mysterious “Rare Earth Elements”? Here I go:

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the lanthanides including cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium. They are called “rare” due to their scarcity in the Earth’s crust, not because they are rare in the universe.

REEs are widely used in modern technology, including electronics, renewable energy, and defense industries. They are crucial components in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphone displays, and guided missiles. For example, neodymium magnets are used in headphones, electric motors, and wind turbines, while europium and dysprosium are used to produce the red and green phosphors in high-definition television displays.

REEs are also critical components in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. For example, nickel-metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are used in hybrid and electric vehicles, require large amounts of REEs. So when you think Tesla, think REE’s :)

Due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and catalytic properties, REEs are irreplaceable in many high-tech applications. Despite their importance, REEs are challenging to extract, refine and produce. They are typically found in small quantities and are scattered in the Earth’s crust, making large-scale mining difficult and costly.

The primary sources of REEs are minerals such as monazite, bastnasite, and xenotime. China is the world’s largest producer of REEs, accounting for over 85% of the global supply. This has raised concerns about the security of the global REE supply chain and has led to efforts by other countries, including the United States and Australia, to increase their own production.

REEs are also associated with environmental and social challenges, such as water pollution, soil degradation, and displacement of local communities. The extraction and refining of REEs are energy-intensive processes that generate significant waste and emissions, including radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium.

Given their vital role in technology and the potential for future demand, it is important to develop sustainable and responsible methods for the production and use of REEs. This includes efforts to increase recycling and reuse, improve efficiency and reduce waste in production processes, and promote the development of alternative technologies that do not rely on REEs.

So it seems like REEs are essential components in modern technology, but their extraction, production, and use come with challenges and environmental impacts.

The value of a particular element is often determined by its rarity, demand, and the cost of extraction and refining. Here are some of the most valuable elements and the reasons why:

This was big news in January 2023. I’m just speculating here:

Basically, the discovery of the largest REE deposit in Sweden has the potential to have a significant impact on the future by diversifying the global REE supply chain, stimulating economic growth, enhancing energy security, promoting sustainable REE production, and supporting technological innovation.

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