Not sure if there is an updated number, but clearly this has some geopolitical implications if many countries are relying on these to make wind turbines and electric vehicles. How come other rich countries can’t match it?
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rare earths are not particularly rare but they are mixed with all kinds of other stuff, some of it radioactive. Separating them out is a dirty and toxic process, so few can compete with Chinas lax environmental standards. And suspect that mines that were closed, because they weren’t profitable, will be hard hard to get permits to reopen if someone wanted to
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