56
Y. Fouquet and B. Martel-Jantin
Fig. 3.1 Base metals and
associated rare metals
Example of rare earth elements
Rare earth metals are a group of metals with similar properties and are comprised of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y) and the 15 lanthanides. Despite their
name, they are not rare: rare earth metals are found in the Earth’s crust in
larger quantities than copper or lead, at a concentration of around 0.08 %. The
relative concentrations of the various lanthanides in these ores can vary from
50 % to a few percent. In terms of applications, the specificity of rare earth
elements lies in their particular electronic structure which induces unique
chemical, structural and physical properties, put to use in metallurgy, catalysis, glass-making, optics, ceramics, luminescence, magnetics, electronics and
green technologies (wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, electric vehicles and
energy-efficient lighting). One of the current major challenges concerns the
manufacture of high strength magnets for electric motors. Their close chemical properties can sometimes make them difficult to distinguish.
China’s monopoly in this field is very alarming. The United States, like
other countries, including the European Union which published a report on
this subject in June 2010, are concerned about the risk of China stopping
exports, as the country possesses 97 % of world production of rare earth element ores and 37 % of known reserves. The United States and Australia have
significant reserves (15 % and 5 % respectively), but have ceased to exploit
them due to China’s highly competitive prices and to environmental concerns.
This preponderance alarms western countries which are seeking to diversify
their supply, especially as China declared that it hopes to reduce its export
quotas to 35,000 t per annum (out of a total production of 110,000 t) from
Y. Fouquet and B. Martel-Jantin
Fig. 3.1 Base metals and
associated rare metals
Example of rare earth elements
Rare earth metals are a group of metals with similar properties and are comprised of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y) and the 15 lanthanides. Despite their
name, they are not rare: rare earth metals are found in the Earth’s crust in
larger quantities than copper or lead, at a concentration of around 0.08 %. The
relative concentrations of the various lanthanides in these ores can vary from
50 % to a few percent. In terms of applications, the specificity of rare earth
elements lies in their particular electronic structure which induces unique
chemical, structural and physical properties, put to use in metallurgy, catalysis, glass-making, optics, ceramics, luminescence, magnetics, electronics and
green technologies (wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, electric vehicles and
energy-efficient lighting). One of the current major challenges concerns the
manufacture of high strength magnets for electric motors. Their close chemical properties can sometimes make them difficult to distinguish.
China’s monopoly in this field is very alarming. The United States, like
other countries, including the European Union which published a report on
this subject in June 2010, are concerned about the risk of China stopping
exports, as the country possesses 97 % of world production of rare earth element ores and 37 % of known reserves. The United States and Australia have
significant reserves (15 % and 5 % respectively), but have ceased to exploit
them due to China’s highly competitive prices and to environmental concerns.
This preponderance alarms western countries which are seeking to diversify
their supply, especially as China declared that it hopes to reduce its export
quotas to 35,000 t per annum (out of a total production of 110,000 t) from