Is Earth Running Out of Rare Earth Minerals?
The idea that key natural resources might some day be exhausted is not a new one, but is has risen in prominence again recently due to recent actions by the Chinese. The latest news I am referring to is that China is now restricting exports of key natural resources. The resources of note are not oil or any other fuels. Rather, China is restricting export of certain minerals called “rare earth minerals” that are used in the production of high-tech products. And that is why then issue has become an important one. These rare earth minerals are necessary ingredients for the modern economy to function. The country that is most upset about this action by China is Japan. For years Japan has relied on China as a source of these critical minerals for its manufacture of high-tech good such as cell phones, wind turbines, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and even military products like guided missiles. Now, China has imposed what it is calling “increased scrutiny” of all exports of rare earth minerals to
