Rare Earth Mining Deficiency a National Security Threat to U.S.

Rare Earth Deposits & Mining / Rare Earth Exploration, Mining, Processing, & Uses

Date posted: 04/02/17

Karl Herchenroeder reports that without a U.S. supply base, should the Chinese ever decide to curtail the supply of these materials to the U.S., we would be left without access, endangering the stability of both our domestic economy and our military, Ucore vice president of project development Randy MacGillivray told a panel recently. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) agreed with MacGillivray, saying that Congress needs to develop a predictable and timely permitting process that still adequately protects the environment. MacGillivray said China is able to dominate the market using outdated and environmentally destructive mining and processing practices. China methods, he said, are driven by a solvent separation technology that uses highly corrosive chemicals and generates large amounts of toxic and radioactive waste. He said an artificial lake located in China Inner Mongolia region, which is plagued by black chemical sludge, is an example of the environmental toll from China mining practices. U.S. exploration for rare earths is also falling behind with production. According to S and P Global Market Intelligence, the U.S. last year spent $500 million on exploration for rare earth materials. Canada in that same span spent nearly double that amount, while Australia spent $897 million. The U.S. has abundant resources of metals and minerals, and it has the companies and people with the skill to extract these natural resources efficiently and cleanly, Hinde said. What the country, and its mining industry, needs is to adopt those more streamlined permitting processes that are already being applied by the world leading mining nations. For Ucore testimony, see: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/3/hearing Texas is developing a new mine that will be producing rear-earth products.