Rare Earth News

Rare earth elements essential for sustainability initiatives

If the technology-driven countries of the world expect to continue growing in a sustainable way, it is crucial that innovative and efficient means of obtaining rare earth elements be developed, as these precious minerals will likely be the backbone of sustainability initiatives, according to The Guardian.

Rare earths have become so important because they are essential for promoting a low-carbon future, most notably in the transportation and renewable energy sectors and for their impact on climate change research.

A recent RCIS publication makes the argument that as global demand for rare earths increases, property development will in turn become increasingly significant in an effort to use the minerals in the most sustainable way possible.

Currently, cities occupy 2 percent of earth's surface but consume 75 percent of its natural resources - a clear indication that urbanization is an unsustainable prospect. If the world is to keep up with urbanization, it will need to use rare earths to construct buildings resilient to climate change and as resource-efficient as possible, according to the news provider.

Canada is doing its part to contribute to a low-carbon future, as Quebec officials recently opened previously untapped lands rich in rare earth element deposits, making them highly accessible for rare earth mining operations.