Bayan Obo (China)

Bayan Obo, located in Inner Mongolia, China, is the world’s largest rare earth element (REE) deposit. It contains a rich concentration of valuable minerals used in electronics, magnets, and green technology. Discovered in the 1950s, Bayan Obo supplies a significant portion of the global rare earth market. The mining process involves extracting ore containing REEs from the earth, then processing it to separate and purify the individual elements. While economically important, mining activities have environmental impacts, prompting efforts to improve sustainability. Bayan Obo's resources are crucial for modern technologies but require careful management due to their ecological and geopolitical significance.