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Rare Earth Deposit Discovered In US

Posted by timothy on from the go-west-young-man dept.

s31523 writes "With China having 97% of the market share of rare earth elements, many countries are nervous about being able to get supplies of key elements needed for high tech gear. Quantum Rare Earths Developments Corp. has reported they have discovered a potential huge source of rare earth elements, right in the middle of the U.S. While the USGS reports that the U.S. has an estimated 13 million metric tonnes available for mining (about 1/3 of China's reserves), finding another regular source is crucial to global stability. The potential yield of the deposit, found in Nebraska, could be the world's largest source for Niobium and other rare earth elements. Could this be the next gold rush?"

10 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. We knew this... by Local+ID10T · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We already knew that the USA had large deposits of rare earth elements.

    It is just cheaper to buy them from China than to mine and process what is available domestically.

    --
    "You want to know how to help your kids? Leave them the fuck alone." -George Carlin
    1. Re:We knew this... by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Boo-hoo, the "captains of industry" shoulda thought of that before they decided to treat their workers like shit. They had their chance.

      Also don't you think that the high risk of the job should count for something?

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    2. Re:We knew this... by Qzukk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Actually, the cost of labor is miniscule next to the costs imposed by liberal tree hugging ecoterrorists that get all pissy when you dump all your toxic mine tailings and acidic processing wastes in the local river rather than burying them back underground where you got them.

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
    3. Re:We knew this... by Mindcontrolled · · Score: 5, Insightful

      A couple of years ago I would have smirked at that. Now I humbly ask you for confirmation that this actually was sarcasm as I hope, as too many retards run around truly believing not being able to dump your shit into the local river is GUBBERMINT OPPRESSION....

      --
      Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
  2. Re:The U.S. is notoriously bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    At stewarding its own resources, preferring instead to buy resources from other countries that do not have the level of regulation we have. We have plenty of oil, gas, rate earth metals etc... we just don't go after it.

    That sounds like stewarding them well to me. What would be so great about digging up today resources that can be left for tomorrow, given that they can be cost effectively obtained elsewhere for now?

  3. So... by black+soap · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Can we refine them here and export the waste to China for 'disposal,' or do we only get to ignore the environmental problem if they produce the waste themselves?

  4. Re:EUREKA! by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So Nebraska has something worthwhile! That is news!

    With the price of corn these days, I'd say they have something else that's worthwhile.

  5. Re:The U.S. is notoriously bad by ThorGod · · Score: 4, Insightful

    At stewarding its own resources, preferring instead to buy resources from other countries that do not have the level of regulation we have. We have plenty of oil, gas, rate earth metals etc... we just don't go after it.

    That sounds like stewarding them well to me. What would be so great about digging up today resources that can be left for tomorrow, given that they can be cost effectively obtained elsewhere for now?

    Bingo! Leaving it in the ground (or, better, undiscovered) until later represents future income. Dollar saved, dollar earned, and all that.

    --
    PS: I don't reply to ACs.
  6. Re:Gold is the next gold rush by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You misspelled bubble.

  7. Re:nil chance by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why don't you go there since they have the level of environmental regulations you like? Breathe in that thick city air and let that foul black river "water" slowly slide down your throat. Taste the unregulated capitalism. Mmmmmm...

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel