Rare earth elements are used in an ever-growing variety of applications that are key to our modern technology. In addition they are essential for a wide variety of defense technologies that are critical to national security. Global demand for rare earth materials is projected to grow, fueled in part by continued development and deployment of emerging energy technologies, and as a result, a global shortage of rare earths is anticipated in the near future. Although the United States has 13 percent of the world’s reserves, nearly all rare earth materials used in the country are imported from China. In contrast, China has only 36 percent of the world’s rare earth reserves, yet accounts for more than 97 percent of global rare earth production. Furthermore, China has been reducing its export quotas in order to satisfy growing domestic demand, and is placing further emphasis on strengthening its vertically integrated supply chain in the rare earth industry by focusing on downstream rare earth products.

To address a possible rare earth shortage crisis, the United States needs to actively pursue policies to ensure supply security. In addition to developing domestic resources and stockpiling specific rare earths, we must support the development of new technologies for their mining and processing. We must also develop more efficient manufacturing and recycling methods for consumer goods containing rare earths, investigate synthetic rare earth substitute compounds, and continue research into rare-earth-free technologies. In this book book we discuss these topics in detail.

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

• 1.1 Definition of Rare Earth Elements
• 1.2 Classification of Rare Earths
• 1.3 Uses of Rare Earth Elements

Chapter 2 Global Rare Earths

• 2.1 Current Global Rare Earth Reserves and Production
• 2.2 Global Demand and Supply
• 2.3 Imports and Exports
• 2.4 Rare Earth Prices

Chapter 3 Rare Earths in the United States

• 3.1 Rare Earth Resources in the United States
• 3.2 Rare Earth Production History in the United States
• 3.3 Rare Earth Issues the United States Faces
• 3.4 United States Strategy to Redevelop the Rare Earth Industry
• 3.5 Advanced Research Projects and Incentive Programs
• 3.6 Future Program and Policy Direction

Chapter 4 Rare Earths in China

• 4.1 Rare Earth Resources in China
• 4.2 Rare Earth Production and Major Players in China
• 4.3 Rare Earth Policies in China
• 4.4 Rare Earth Academic Research in China
• 4.5 Rare Earth Issues China Faces
• 4.6 China’s Rare Earth Development Master Plan

Chapter 5 Rare Earth Industry Outlook

• 5.1 Rare Earth Supply and Demand Outlook
• 5.2 Potential Rare Earth Suppliers
• 5.3 Manufactured Goods Affected by Rare Earths
• 5.4 Rare Earth Stockpiles
• 5.5 Rare Earth Substitutes and Recycling

Chapter 6 Recommendations and Conclusions