Rare earth debacle

Rare earths, those scarce elements that put the power into modern electric motors, light up LEDs, and make superconductors super, mostly come from China, which has cut their exports drastically.

What with the greenies having hissy fits every time someone tries to rape mother Gaea mine for new resources, our technological society is hurting.

Good news:

Neb. mine find to challenge China’s dominance of vital rare minerals

Elements coveted for high-tech uses

By Claire Courchane

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The Washington Times

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Elk Creek, Neb. (population 112), may not be so tiny much longer. Reports suggest that the southeastern Nebraska hamlet may be sitting on the world’s largest untapped deposit of “rare earth” minerals, which have proved to be indispensable to a slew of high-tech and military applications such as laser pointers, stadium lighting, electric car batteries and sophisticated missile-guidance systems.
Canada-based Quantum Rare Earths Developments Corp. last week received preliminary results from test drilling in the area, showing “significant” proportions of “rare earth” minerals and niobium.