China and rare earth minerals

[jwnagy]

www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/business/global/01minerals.html

[crowsnake]

"To get at the materials [dysprosium, terbium and neodymium], powerful acid is pumped down bore holes. There it dissolves some of the rare earths, and the slurry is then pumped into leaky artificial ponds with earthen dams, according to mining specialists."

These minerals are - according to the story - "vital to green energy technologies." But what a harsh way to acquire them. I'd like to see some of the specimens before they melt.

[arappaho]

I was thinking the same thing, crowsnake.
"pumped into leaky artificial ponds with earthen dams"
Where does it go from there???

And those aren't the only "rare" earth minerals they are hoarding.
Don't forget about silver and gold.

www.mineweb.co.za/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page33?oid=88452&sn=Detail