DOE Report Details Possible Rare Earths Shortages

摘要

A report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE; Washington) says the country could well face shortages of rare earth materials within the next fifteen years. Rare earth materials, or rare earths, include lanthanum, dysprosium, cerium, gallium and yttrium, and are critical for the developmentof clean-energy technology, such as lithium-ion batteries, wind power generators, and energy efficient lighting systems. Rare earths are metallic, and are typically mined alongside higher-volume, commoditizedmetals, such as zinc and iron. The main vulnerability to U.S. and global rare earths supply is China's dominance of production of the metals, the reports says. China is home to more than 95% of global rare earths production capacity, in spite of holding less than 40% of the world's reserves, according to DOE. Earlier this year, China caused a stir by briefly embargoing the export of rare earths to the U.S., Japan and Europe. The country also levies heavy export taxes on rare earths, which can add up to $40 per ton to the price of the metals, reports say. The U.S. and Japan are considering a challenge to China's rare earths exports.