Rare

Did you know the elements transforming your smartphone, military technology, and electric cars come from metals found in the tiniest amounts on Earth and yet hold immense economic and geopolitical weight?

1. "Rare" Earth Metals Aren't Actually Rare

Rare earth metals, encompassing 17 chemical elements, are often misunderstood due to their name. They aren't scarce like gold or diamonds; rather, they're widely found but in tiny quantities. When first discovered, their rarity was presumed due to limited knowledge about their abundance in Earth's crust.

Mining rare earth metals is labor-intensive. Even though elements like europium or neodymium exist in soil, extracting them involves processing vast amounts of rock just to gather milligrams of useful material. This makes the process prohibitively expensive.

The extraction also wastes significant amounts of resources. Chemicals used to isolate these metals sometimes destroy part of the material, further complicating their availability.

Examples

• Dirt samples worldwide often contain traces of rare earth metals as commonly as copper or nickel.
• Despite their presence, separating one gram of a rare earth metal often requires processing tons of soil.
• The energy- and chemical-intensive extraction method destroys portions of the metals themselves.

2. Rare Earth Metals Have Roots in the 18th Century

The discovery of rare earth metals began by chance in Sweden in the late 1700s. An army officer, Carl Axel Arrhenius, stumbled upon a peculiar black rock, which he later handed over to chemist Johan Gadolin. This rock contained yttrium, one of the first rare earth metals identified.

For centuries, these elements sat unused due to technological limitations. The ability to separate rare earth metals from other components wasn’t achieved until the 20th century. The new chemical processes, which bathed mined rocks in powerful acids and bases, finally enabled scientists to isolate the metals.

Once isolated, rare earth metals revolutionized technology. For example, yttrium became essential for creating the vibrant red hues in televisions and computer monitors.

Examples

• Ytterbite, the black rock Arrhenius found, was named after its Swedish discovery site, Ytterby.
• Johan Gadolin’s discovery of yttrium set the foundation for rare earth chemistry.
• Twentieth-century chemical advances transformed these obscure elements into essential materials for modern screens.

3. Rare Earth Metals in Nuclear Power Plants

Rare earth metals keep nuclear energy relatively safe. Some metals in this group, such as rhodium and palladium, absorb neutrons efficiently. This helps stabilize nuclear reactions, preventing potentially catastrophic outcomes.

These metals have a secondary role in nuclear waste. As fuel rods degrade during use, they produce rare earth metals as byproducts. However, handling the resultant nuclear waste presents challenges. Storing radioactive material far from human settlements is costly and contentious.

Attempts to recycle nuclear material, like plutonium, come with their own risks. If improperly secured, this material could be weaponized, leading to widespread security concerns.

Examples

• Rare earth metals absorb neutrons, making them ideal components of reactor fuel rods.
• Palladium and rhodium are extracted as byproducts when fuel rods disintegrate.
• Reprocessed plutonium poses security threats, as seen in its potential misuse for nuclear weapons.

4. Thallium Sulfate – The Poisoner’s Secret Weapon

Thallium sulfate’s dark history is as intriguing as a murder mystery. Often referred to as "inheritance powder," this rare metal compound became infamous for its discreet lethality. One gram dissolved in water is lethally effective.

Its dangers lie in how thallium masquerades as potassium, infiltrating cells and disrupting bodily functions. Poisoned victims often show non-specific symptoms, mimicking common illnesses, which delays diagnosis.

Despite its abolishment as a commercial poison post-1972, thallium sulfate continues to appear in contemporary crimes, as evidenced by a poisoning case in Boston in 2011.

Examples

• Agatha Christie's novel "The Pale Horse" popularized thallium as an undetectable poison.
• Rat poisons once commonly contained thallium sulfate until regulatory bans emerged.
• A Boston chemist used thallium to poison her ex-husband, rekindling awareness of its use.

5. China's Rare Earth Monopoly

China dominates the rare earth metal industry, housing most of the world’s reserves. Its Bayan Obo Mining District alone has abundant deposits that rival the wealth tied to Saudi Arabian oil.

Originally mined for iron, this area shifted focus in the 20th century when the economic importance of rare earth elements grew exponentially. China's monopoly creates dependency for global markets, causing political tensions.

Geologists theorize that China's rare earth metals stem from tectonic events millions of years ago, which drew magma and metals close to the surface.

Examples

• The Bayan Obo mines in Inner Mongolia initially targeted iron but now focus on rare earth materials.
• Between 2012 and 2015, China attempted to restrict exportation of rare earth metals.
• Geological shifts 400 million years ago contributed to China's rich rare earth deposits.

6. Afghanistan’s Metal Reserves Offer Hope

Afghanistan sits on untapped reserves of rare earth metals and minerals like iron and gold, estimated to be worth $1-3 trillion. If developed, these resources could transform the country’s war-torn economy.

Historically, Afghanistan has been a geopolitical chessboard. In the 1980s, US and Soviet Union conflicts left the nation ravaged. Yet, the discovery of valuable reserves in 2010 sparked hopes of an economic resurgence.

With strategic development, these resources could rebuild Afghanistan’s infrastructure, fund education, and improve living conditions for its citizens.

Examples

• The US Geological Survey in 2010 revealed Afghanistan’s rare earth reserves.
• CIA-backed operations in the 1980s turned Afghanistan into a Cold War battleground.
• Mining could bridge the gap between instability and sustained prosperity.

7. Military Relies on Rare Earth Metals

Rare earth metals are integral to modern warfare. Beryllium alloys, for instance, are used in fighter jet frames, including the F-35, enhancing their agility and strength.

The military also uses rare metals in radar technologies, explosive detectors, and reinforced mirrors for tanks. Beryllium’s resistance to high vibrations makes it invaluable in combat zones.

Beyond warfare, rare earth metals like lanthanum boost renewable energy. Electric car batteries, like those in the Toyota Prius, heavily depend on these materials to store power efficiently.

Examples

• The F-35 frame incorporates beryllium for lightweight precision.
• Fighter jets and drones use rare metals for their electrical systems.
• Lanthanum-containing batteries are key to Tesla and Toyota electric cars.

8. Mining the Stars for Metals

As Earth’s metal reserves deplete, humanity is eyeing outer space. Because rare elements form when stars die, celestial bodies may hold immense deposits.

The idea of space mining raises legal and ethical concerns. The 1966 Outer Space Treaty aimed to declare space resources as collective property, but major players like the US and China haven’t agreed.

Future technologies must address questions about access, ownership, and sustainability in outer space.

Examples

• Rare earth metals originate in the cores of collapsing stars.
• The UN’s Outer Space Treaty remains unsigned by key spacefaring nations.
• Companies like SpaceX are exploring technologies for space mining.

9. Rare Earths and Our Future

Rare earth metals are reshaping civilian life and defense systems. From smartphones to nuclear power, their impact on daily technologies is immense.

China’s monopolization of supply underscores their growing importance globally. With reserves diminishing, countries face complex questions about sustainable extraction and future alternatives.

Outer space may hold answers, but until then, global powers must navigate their dependence on these hidden gems.

Examples

• Global reliance on rare earths extends to smartphones, screens, and electric grids.
• China supplies the majority of rare earth materials, creating political dependencies.
• Scientists are working on sustainable extraction and better recycling methods.

Takeaways

1. Advocate for responsible and sustainable mining practices to counter extraction’s environmental toll.
2. Diversify sourcing strategies to reduce dependence on a single nation’s resource monopoly.
3. Support research on space exploration and technologies that repair or replace rare earth materials.