Tag: critical minerals
Scramble for Critical Minerals: How Lithium, Cobalt, and Rare Earths Are Fueling New Conflicts
Rare earth elements, despite their name, are relatively abundant in Earth's crust but extremely difficult to extract and process without severe environmental consequences. China's dominance in this sector stems not from geological advantage but from willingness to accept environmental and health costs that Western nations have deemed unacceptable. The processing of rare earths generates toxic waste streams and radioactive byproducts that require careful management over decades.
