AboutDr Thomas Bell Expertise I can answer questions regarding surface earth processes and the chemical transformations that sediments and rocks undergo with burial. I can also answer questions regarding deep time, the evolution of the elements, and the last 4.5 billion years of earth history. I specialize in metallic ore forming processes, the major geologic time periods when they were produced and what they tell us about the evolution of our planet. Learn more about my professional interests at Stratamodel.com.
Experience I am a professional consulting geologist with a background in the petroleum, mining, environmental, and geotechnical industries with over 25 years of experience.
Education/Credentials Ph.D., Geology, University of California at Berkeley, 1984
M.A., Geology, University of California at Berkeley, 1980
B.S., Geology, San Jose State University, 1978
My question concerns Rare earth elements. What are they and are they considered "rare". I know that they are extremely important to technology and i want to get knowledgeable now as I know the rare earth industry is bound for some serious growth in the coming years.
Thanks
Tony
Answer Tony,
Rare Earth elements are not particularly rare at all. Take a look at the chart about half way down this Wikipedia page.
Rare earth elements are known in geology as incompatible elements because they do not form specific minerals nor are they a major constituent of common crustal minerals. They tend to occur as 'impurities' in many different mineral species. As a result, many are produced as byproducts in mines that target something else. For example tantalum is a byproduct of tin mining and the supply and price is affected by the demand for tin. Other sources of rare earth elements include relatively rare rock types like carbonatites. For example, the Mountain Pass carbonatite in California is enriched in rare earth elements. Heavy mineral beach sands mined in Brazil and India have been an important historic source of rare earth elements.
Like most mineral commodities that are used in small amounts world wide, a few firms specialize in their production. A simple web search should enable you to identify the major players for each of the rare earth elements. Market forces tend to be very closely tuned in the sense that rising demand is usually quickly matched by rising supply. Competition in these markets has historically been weak since the size of the markets is limited and the number of players small.
