A major problem with mining rare earth minerals in the USA is the 1983 legislation to manage the Thorium that comes along with the RE ores. So, just as importa

A major problem with mining rare earth minerals in the USA is the 1983 legislation to manage the Thorium that comes along with the RE ores. So, just as important is Senator Rubio's legislation to set up a "Thorium Bank" as a cooperative to transfer the liability from the miners to the bank who will store it for a wee fee and make it available at cost to the co-op. This will also create a "guaranteed stream" of rare earth minerals to all involved. Apparently, foreign governments and companies will do all the funding. Which is nice. (Although given Hauwei's recent problems with US suppliers, I think foreign government might not put much stock in the 'guaranteed' bit) http://efn-usa.org/2013-11-06-07-29-01/item/2033-summary-for-thorium-and-rare-earths-james-kennedy-john-kutsch-usofa http://efn-usa.org/2013-11-06-07-29-01/item/2033-summary-for...