Rare Earths
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic elements, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They are considered critical minerals due to their essential role in high-tech industries, defense applications, and renewable energy technologies.
Importance of Rare Earths
- Electronics & Consumer Goods – Used in smartphones, laptops, and displays.
- Renewable Energy – Key components in wind turbine magnets and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
- Defense & Aerospace – Found in precision-guided weapons, radar systems, and aircraft components.
- Industrial Applications – Catalysts, glass polishing, and petroleum refining.
Monazite and xenotime, which can be found in mineral sands deposits, are sources of rare earth elements used in an ever-expanding range of high-tech consumer goods and low carbon technologies.
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