[meteorite-list] Rare Earth Magnets

[Pete Pete]

Hi, All,

 

A recent update to last year's thread about rare earth magnets becoming rarer...
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2010-October/070115.html

http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2010-October/070115.html 

 

 

 

News item:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14009910

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14009910

 

 

4 July 2011 

Japan finds rare earths in Pacific seabed

 

Japanese researchers say they have discovered vast deposits of rare earth minerals, used in many hi-tech appliances, in the seabed.

The geologists estimate that there are about a 100bn tons of the rare elements in the mud of the Pacific Ocean floor. 

At present, China produces 97% of the world's rare earth metals. 

Analysts say the Pacific discovery could challenge China's dominance, if recovering the minerals from the seabed proves commercially viable.

 

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