rare earth minerals

Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 elements found on the periodic table, known for their unique chemical properties. They include elements like neodymium and lanthanum, which are essential for producing high-tech devices such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. Despite their name, these minerals are not particularly rare in abundance but are rarely found in concentrated deposits, making extraction challenging and expensive. Their strategic importance has led to increased interest and geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding supply chains and dependence on countries like China, which dominates production.