[back2dafucha]

This is similar to the "rare earths" myths floating around. Its a prepper story for sure.

"Rare Earths" are literally everywhere but require large open mines which are not environmentally acceptable and cost effective in the US (depending). The existing mines are still here but shut down decades ago.

Ask Apple how it feels about paying a pretty big chunk of money to reopen one. That guys mine was worth more closed than open.

Like so many things we sent that task to China a long time ago.

[egl2020]

AFAIK the mine is less of a problem than the refinery and its waste.

[mschuster91]

> "Rare Earths" are literally everywhere but require large open mines which are not environmentally acceptable and cost effective in the US (depending). The existing mines are still here but shut down decades ago.

The problem is, "cost effective" has different meanings depending on if one includes externalities such as geopolitical risks into the cost.

[alephnerd]

Not all rare earths are equally distributed. Lithium sure, but not a number of other REEs like Neodymium, Dysprosium, Molybdenum, and others are only found in unequally distributed concentrated deposits.

[amluto]

You might consider looking up what a “rare earth” is. Your list is rather confused.

[alephnerd]

Fair enough.

Neodymium and Dysprosium are REEs.

Molybdenum is not but it is a critical element that is also commonly brought up in the same conversations as REEs.

I think recentering the convo to "critical minerals" would solve the issue.