The rare earths are a relatively abundant group of 17 elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides. Rare earth element occurrences in the united states. Rare earths1 data in metric tons of rare earth oxide reo content, unless otherwise noted domestic production and use. Department of the interior doi and the usgs, the united states imported rare earth. Mining and quarrying trends statistical summary survey methods. Geological survey publications on rare earth elements. The us geological survey usgs predicts that many strategic metals will be in critical demand within the next 100 years and some within the next 30 years. Geological survey usgs 1999 publication, metal prices in the united states through 1998, presents an extended price history for a wide range of metals available in a single document. Nmic commodity specific publications consist of minerals yearbooks and mineral commodity summaries on an annual basis, monthly or quarterly mineral industry surveys for certain mineral commodities. Chinas control of rare minerals has the power to disrupt. Beryllium is a mineral commodity that is used in a variety of industries to make products that are essential for the smooth functioning of a modern society. Thorianite is a rare mineral and may contain up to about 12% thorium oxide.
Usgs minerals information history and future directions. The link for usgs mineral commodity summary for rare earths. The principal rare earth elements deposits of the united states 27. Bastnasite, a rare earth fluocarbonate mineral, was mined as a primary product by a firm in mountain pass, ca.
In 2009, the mineral resources program of the usgs organized a new project under the title minerals at risk and for emerging technologies in order to evaluate mineral resource and supply issues of rare metals that are of increasing importance to the national economy. National minerals information center publications usgs. This number has risen dramatically over the past 60 years. According to the 2017 usgs mineral commodity summaries, the united states was 100 percent dependent on foreign sources for 20 of the 90 rare earth minerals the usgs.
Rare earths are also a byproduct of other mining operations. Personal technology demand outlook, 20102015 million units. Rare earth elements ree are becoming increasingly important in electronic devices. Its called the mineral commodity summaries, and the 2012 edition was just published. Us rare earth element processors to help break china. Geological survey, mineral commodity summaries, january 2020. Geological survey usgs provides information to the public and to policymakers concerning the current use and flow of minerals and materials in the united states economy. Geographic coordinates are provided for 577 of the 799 deposits described here. Geological survey, 2010, mineral commodity summaries. Info byproduct metals and rare earth elements used in the production of lightemitting diodesoverview of principal sources of supply and material requirements for selected markets. The elements range in crustal abundance from cerium, the 25th most abundant element of the 78 common elements in the earths. In some cases, the concern about a lack of resources stems from governments inaccurate assessments of their own mineral resources.
Geological survey usgs mineral commodity summaries. This lack of understanding means that reserve estimates. The united states was a leading producer and processor of rare earths, and continued to be a major exporter and consumer of rare earth products. Metal prices in the united states through 2010 usgs. Mineral commodity summaries 2016, us dept interior, us geological survey, january 28, 2016. These publications are now the responsibility of the minerals information team mit. Usgs united states geological survey row rest of the world reo rare earth oxides brics brazil, russian federation, india, china, south africa.
In fact, usgs issues an annual mineral commodity report, tracking the reserves, production, refining and use of these minerals in the united states and about 180 other countries. The united states was a leading producer and processor of rare earths and continued to be a major exporter and consumer of rare earth products. Location, geologic and mineral economic data for world rare earth mines, deposits, and occurrences compiled from published and nonpublished sources. It has a whopping 30 times larger ree reserves than the usa. Rare earth element mines, deposits, and occurrences. Geological journeys in the southern basin and range, field trip guidebook, geological society. Geological survey created in department of the interior. The principal economic sources of rare earths are the minerals bastnasite, monazite, and loparite and the lateritic ionadsorption clays. Table 1 estimated production and reserves of ree in the world source.
Geological survey usgs mineral commodity summaries mcs includes information on events, trends, and issues for each mineral commodity as well as discussions and tabular presentations on domestic industry structure, government programs, tariffs, 5year salient statistics, and world production and resources. Subscribers to this list will receive an email notification when a new publication is posted to the usgs national minerals information center nmic rare earths statistics and information web page. The rare earth elementsvital to modern technologies and lifestyles. Nonfuel minerals alphabetical index to publications, contacts, and links to more information. Geological survey usgs mineral commodity summaries mcs includes information on events, trends, and issues for each mineral commodity as well as discussions and tabular presentations on domestic industry structure, government programs, tariffs, 5year salient statistics, and world production and. Other rare earth elements oxide reo minerals, such as fergusonite, aeschynite, and samar skite, have similar properties, making identification in hand sample difficult. In 2010, a series of events and press reports highlighted what some referred to as the rare earth. Quoted from the united states geological surveys mineral commodity summary 2. David s abraham describes the strenuous, delicate and gruelling process it takes to extract rare earth minerals in his book the elements of power. Geological survey, mineral commodity summaries, january. Rare earths1 data in metric tons of rare earth oxide reo equivalent content unless otherwise noted domestic production and use. The mineral commodity summaries publication is part of the core function of the minerals information activities transferred from the u.
Rare earth minerals occur in the form of bastnaesite, monazite and xenotime and some other minerals. Historical statistics for mineral and material commodities. Gambogi, joseph, 20, rare earths minerals yearbook 2011, v. Where can i find information about mineral commodities. Usgs mineral resources program the rare earth elementsvital to modern technologies and lifestyles by bradley s. Fact sheets short introductions to mineral commodities, materials flow, and.
Geological survey, mineral commodity summaries, february 2014, ree reserves worldwide total 140 million tonnes. Mineral commodity summaries 2012 minerals make life. Euxenite is black with a tabular to prismatic habit, making it indistinguishable from rutile, a common oxide mineral, when found in massive form. Geological survey usgs mineral commodity summaries mcs includes information on events, trends, and issues for each mineral commodity as well as discussions and tabular presentations on domestic industry structure, government programs, tariffs, 5year salient statistics, and world. Published on an annual basis, this report is the earliest government publication to furnish estimates covering nonfuel mineral industry data. Thoriumcontaining minerals occur on all continents. China not only is the largest consumer of the rare earth elements but it holds more reserves than the other countries. Mineral commodity summaries published on an annual basis, this report is the earliest government publication to furnish estimates covering nonfuel mineral industry data. Rare earths data sheet mineral commodity summaries 2020. These publications cover mineral commodities and are published annually. Ree rare earth elements metals, minerals, mining, uses.
Listed below are links to chapters from the minerals yearbook volume i. These mineral occurrences include mined deposits, exploration prospects, and other occurrences with. Achieving sustainable development is a central goal of the united nations. For global mineral and material commodities data, see data series 896 general notes.
Special issue on rare earths commodities at a glance printed at united nations, geneva ge. Commodities at a glance special issue on rare earths. According to the mineral commodity summaries for 2019 published by the u. Scientific investigations report 2010 5220 rare earth elementscritical resources for high technology fs08702 rare earth elementsend use and recyclability scientific investigations report 20115094 rare earth element mines, deposits, and occurrences openfile report 02189 statistical compendium rare earths contact usgs mineral. According to the recently released usgs mineral commodity summaries 2017, the united states was 100 percent net import reliant on 20 mineral commodities in 2016, including manganese, niobium, tantalum and several of the other mineral commodities covered in the new volume. The principal economic sources of rare earths are the minerals bastnasite. Such information can be useful for the analysis of mineral commodity issues, as well as for other purposes. Unctad secretariat from mineral commodity summaries various issues, us geological survey. Mountain pass mine and mill usgs mineral resources on. Data sheets contain information on the domestic industry structure, government programs, tariffs, and 5year salient statistics for over 90 individual minerals and materials.
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