WorldWide Drilling Resource

Modern Depends on Ancient Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Imagine regressing to the days of old, when stereos played vinyl records, transistor radios were the only mobile source of musical entertainment, and telephones required long, tangled cords. Many people in modern society rely on high-tech devices for their day-to- day communications. However, they may not realize the materials necessary to operate these devices come from rocks which are millions of years old. These materials, called rare earth elements (REEs), have much higher con- ductive and magnetic properties than other elements, and are therefore an essential component of many compact electronics. Rare earth elements include scan- dium and yttrium, as wel l as fifteen lanthanide elements. They have the ability to perform unique and highly specific tasks, and the absence of these elements would significantly alter our industrialized world and way of life. According to technology journalist Kirsten Korosec, “Rare earth metals are used in just about every modern-day and clean-tech device, including hybrid cars, cell phones, laptops, and numer- ous defense technologies.” Although some REEs are found in abundance, they are called “rare” be- cause they do not occur in heavy con- centrations, but are scattered over a wide area instead. Without large deposits in a con- fined area, the expense of mining is often too high to be profitable. Only a few countries have commercially viable amounts of REEs. Most are found in the U.S. and China. Brazil, India, and a few other countries also have some significant deposits. The world has become dependent on China for most of its rare earth needs. The country produces around 95% of Rare earth elements (clockwise from top center): praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium. Image courtesy of Peggy Greb, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 54 JUNE 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® &% ! "" * "(%$ ))) (" $( ' & $ %# # " (" $( $ ( " !" !! ! &% ! % ! (" $( & $ $ $ " ! $ $ ! ! $ ! $ # $ $ $ 4 *+ .* *..*( ,$''$)" **'- !--*,$!-5 111 %!).! # ,$''$)"-/++'3 *( !,0$)" .#! ($)$)" $) /-.,3 .#,*/"#*/. .#! 1!-. ((!,- $.- ,$'' .!!' / - ,$''$)" '/$ - #,! *(+*/) - !1 !,/) *. ,3 $.- $. $+! ) '$)" **'- )"!)/$.3 ,$0! + ,&- !0 #*)! !-. $) .,!!. '&* !0 2 all REEs, but in 2006, decided to re- duce the amount being exported to other countries in an attempt to pre- serve shrinking reserves and protect the environment. Prices for most REEs soared as a result. Several countries including the U.S. responded to China’s decision by re- opening mines which once produced REEs, opening new mines, and search- ing for new sources. Attempts are also being made to recycle these elements. In Japan, REEs are being recycled from old washing machines and air conditioners. Scientists are developing a new method to recycle them from wastewater as well. A new United Nations project is aiming to track where cell phones end up so REEs and other precious metals they contain can be recycled. Maintaining a stable supply of these elements will enable us to buy and use electronics for years to come. The next time you sit in a cool, air-conditioned room, see the color red on your televi- sion, have a magnetic resonance imag- ing (MRI) scan, use your computer, a hearing aid, anti-lock brakes, a cell phone, or a digital camera, remember REEs make these modern conveniences possible, and life without them would be drastically different.