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US Sits On Supply of Rare, Tech-Crucial Minerals
We've recently discussed China's position as the linchpin of the world's supply of rare earths, and their rumblings about restricting exports of of these materials crucial to the manufacture of everything from batteries to wind turbines. Now an anonymous reader sends this MSNBC piece on the status of the US's supply of rare earths. "China supplies most of the rare earth minerals found in technologies such as hybrid cars, wind turbines, computer hard drives, and cell phones, but the US has its own largely untapped reserves that could safeguard future tech innovation. Those reserves include deposits of both 'light' and 'heavy' rare earths... 'There is already a shortage, because there are companies that already can't get enough material,' said Jim Hedrick, a former USGS rare earth specialist who recently retired. 'No one [in the US] wants to be first to jump into the market because of the cost of building a separation plant,' Hedrick explained. ... [S]uch a plant requires thousands of stainless steel tanks holding different chemical solutions to separate out all the individual rare earths. The upfront costs seem daunting. Hedrick estimated that opening just one mine and building a new separation plant might cost anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion and would require a minimum of eight years. [But the CEO of a rare earth supply company said] 'From what I see, security of supply is going to be more important than the prices.'"
Yea, it could be the way you describe....or....
We could take "encourage development" as another way to say "keep the fucking government out of my business and let me run it". As a business owner in the process control industry, I bet I know which translation he means. Believe me, nobody wants to cozy up to the government right now and certainly not this administration. Companies only do so out of political favor or out of fear.
If you think otherwise, now is your chance to start your own company and deal with the government. (sarchasm on) I am sure they will treat you fairly and I am sure they will do everything they can to make sure you keep as much profit as you can since you are risking so much by starting your own company.(/sarchasm) If you are really lucky, you can work in one of the industries that government is currently "helping" with: finance, insurance, medical, or energy. Good luck!
What's that you say? You don't want to take that kind of risk? Well....neither does this CEO. That's why he wants the government in on the deal on the front end. It minimizes the risk that they will screw him down the road...
No. Long, delaying impact studies are only necessary when you're doing something the conservatives oppose... like allowing gays to serve openly in the military.
SWM seeks new sig for a brief fling
I think I just might be completely done ever being fair to a politician ever again. Fuck every single one of them. And fuck political science as a whole.
Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?