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US reserves of rare earth elements assessed for first time http://apocadocs.com/s.pl?1290262864
The US has 13 million tonnes of rare earth elements but it would take years to extract them, suggests the first detailed report on the country's supply.... China controls 97 per cent of the world's supply and has been tightening its export quotas, sparking concerns that the rare earths could live up to their name.
Now, the US Geological Survey has looked at all known national reserves of the elements as part of a larger assessment of the threat posed to defence by limited rare earth supplies.
It found that the domestic pipeline is "rather thin". The US boasts the third largest reserves in the world after China and the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up of nations that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. But the only rare earths mine the US has ever operated, at Mountain Pass, California, is currently inactive. Mining may restart there within two years, but any other mines will be far behind.
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'Doc Michael says:
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Maybe we should change the name to really expensive earths.
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