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Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production

The suite of lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium – commonly grouped together as rare earth elements (REEs) – remains poorly understood, belying the growing importance of REEs in new technology applications. An expert in the field highlights the potential for critical shortages of some metals to emerge if the sector remains at the mercy of such a volatile pricing environment, despite their apparent abundance.

Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production Rare earth project proponents face perilous path to production

Unhealthy reliance: China dominates global REE supply

Theoretically, there was "absolutely no shortage" of REEs in the ground, Gavin Mudd, associate professor of Environmental Engineering at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia, told Mining Journal in an