Not-So-Rare Earth Minerals

Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 chemically similar, heavy metals, that are used for many high-tech and sustainable energy applications.  Despite what their name would suggest, they are relatively abundant.  But refining the minerals from disperse ore deposits takes large amounts of energy and produces large quantities of sometimes hazardous waste.  Julie Klinger, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at UW-Madison, joins the Thursday edition of the 8 O’Clock Buzz to talk about the present status of rare earth mineral mining, and the possibility of reclaiming the minerals from existing mine tailings in the U.S.

Photo by USGS on Unsplash

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