Rare Earths: the Invisible Minerals that Sustain Modern Technology and Spark a Global Dispute

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The so-called rare earths, a group of 17 minerals, became key parts for current technology and the economy of the future. Although their name suggests scarcity, these elements abound in the earth’s crust. Their real challenge lies in the low concentration and complexity of their extraction. These minerals appear scattered in nature. They present high reactivity. They are oxidized to contact with air and react to water. According to the United St…