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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
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We had rare earth mines here in the US. In fact at one time we were the largest producer of rare earth minerals in the world, but environmental rules and Chinese competition cut it off at the knees. Right now, the materials from the largest mine are being sent to China for processing.

We actually have the raw materials to be 100 self sufficient in copper, nickel, cobalt, and rare-earth minerals, but until and unless the environmental interests realize that their "green dream" requires letting us mine and process those materials ... Some are beginning to wake up to the need and the danger of being dependent on China for anything, but the environmentalists and regulatory agencies stand in the way.
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LTC Self Employed
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
Please explain the processing that we cannot do ourselves? The Mountain Pass mine story mentions the same thing that they process the ore in China. I was listening to conservative TV and they talk about child labour being used in Africa to extract these Rare Earth minerals and how it causes catastrophic health problems and cancer and people who extract them. Is this true? Is this why you think this Administration or the Environmental people prefer it be done in other countries that have other people get exposed to set up us using proper safety precautions?
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
PO1 Kevin Dougherty
>1 y
Exactly, the environmental rules are strict here, so they take it overseas where the rules are less strict. The company that originally owned Mountain Pass went under because they could not compete against the stuff coming in from China. We are seeing pretty much the same thing with the batteries. They can not be easily recycled, it is somewhat dangerous, as lithium batteries can explode during disassembly, and hazardous waste is generated, so they get shipped to third world countries where they don't give a crap.

Yes, it is true about the children in Congo, but not rare earths, cobalt, which is pretty nasty stuff, with respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and skin toxicity. If that does not get you, it's also a strong carcinogen and mutagen so it's likely to get the next generation too. There is a pretty good article here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/batteries/congo-cobalt-mining-for-lithium-ion-battery/
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
100% accurate.
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LTC Self Employed
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
PO1 Kevin Dougherty - Thank you for this sad story.
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LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
Thank you my friend LTC (Join to see) posting the unsurprising news that POTUS Biden is looking overseas for electrical vehicle and other green energy products since rare metals required are primarily in China [source and processing capability] and Africa to a lesser extent.
It is noteworthy that rare earth metals are plentiful yet widely dispersed across the surface of the earth.

It is sad that we don't process our own rare metals in this nation. It seems ludicrous since the green energy products require rare metals :-(

Revenge of the Miners: Green Energy Meets Natural Resources -- Live with Warren Irwin (w/Max Wiethe)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81y2AKrAznU

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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
>1 y
Why China's control of rare earths matters | FT
China dominates the world's production and supply of rare earths - obscure elements that are vital for high tech manufacturing. The FT's Jamie Smyth explains why this matters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyH_PvLZoD0
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PVT Mark Zehner
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Good grief!
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