Tuesday January 29, 2013, 4:40 am
Thanks, interesting that they are not all that rare, just to cheap to be able to mine properly - California was a leading producer at one time. I quess it's just another of those conundrums of mining and environmental protection, namely the need to mine the rare metals needed to make electric cars, or more specifically the batteries for such cars. Unfortunately, they always seem to be strip mines,

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 5:48 am
Thanks.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 6:11 am
Thanks Cal for the link to the very informative article by Mike Ives. Environmentally safe E=Waste recycling centers would would certainly help ease the demand of these minerals. Read and noted.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 7:21 am
"“We are not against rare earths processing,” says Tan, a retired schoolteacher who leads a citizens’ group opposed to the plant. “We’re only against the inappropriate choice of site, and the way they’re going to keep the waste.” Tan echoes scientists’ concerns that the plant’s toxic wastewater will leach into groundwater, and that its storage ponds are vulnerable to the monsoons that slam the swampy coastline every autumn."

++++++++++++++++++ It's a problem, isn't it?

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 4:17 pm
Thanks.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 5:23 pm
The thing to remember here is that a lot of our technology relies on these metals... cell phones, tablets, laptops, solar panels, flat screen tvs... It's not like there isn't a need to mine these metals. The key here is to get the mining done safely and with as little damage to Mother Earth as possible.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 5:39 pm
I think we should stop or reduce digging up the Earth.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 5:40 pm
One day rare minerals will run out (as will oil, coal).

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 6:28 pm
Thanks

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 6:40 pm
Mining is an industry that need proper inspection and control.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 7:12 pm
Thank you for a very informative article.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 8:45 pm
We rape and strip all from our earth with little care the effect. And wonder what's going wrong.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 6:30 am
We should combat all forms of rape including those of our planet.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 9:40 am
noted

Saturday February 2, 2013, 11:49 am
Noted w/thanks, Cal. Trans-national corporations are mining worldwide....I'd say at "epidemic" proportions. There are at least 3 here in AZ that are being fought by environmentalists and local citizens. They come with promises of jobs and money flowing to the local economy, but what we're left with is a poisoned, toxic environment and people who are sick. Their greed knows no bounds as they continually lie and cheat their way in despite public protest and lawsuits. They then change the rules, buy off the officials, bend regulations....they must be fought.