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This article didn't really discuss the environmental impacts of the mines, which is probably substantial. Is that why the mines are so expensive to operate in t
by mcone 13y ago
This article didn't really discuss the environmental impacts of the mines, which is probably substantial. Is that why the mines are so expensive to operate in the US? And is that why China produces so many more rare earth metals -- because they skimp on environmental protections?
- dangrossman 13y agoIt is. This mine was shut down after an environmental accident, and it's cost them over $1 billion to recover from that and prepare to reopen, split between new environmental licenses and new processing equipment that allows them to mine without trucking in dangerous chemicals to separate the materials in the ores. The new process is based on high-pressure recycled salt water, doesn't leave behind toxic tailing ponds that can leak into waterways, and isn't how the Chinese run their mines.