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2011-03-10 -Short Attention Span Theater-

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Posted by gorb 2011-03-10 01:30|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 "China, which controls supplies of 97% of these materials"

This is actually misleading. China controls 97% of production but not 97% of the deposits of them. The US has huge deposits of rare earths but EPA regulations make it nearly impossible to mine and refine them. The one US processing plant is due to go back on line soon after extensive retrofitting to meet regulations.

The "radioactive waste" accident was extremely minor. The material is no more radioactive than ash from a coal power plant.

If a nuclear power plant (or rare earths refining plant) emitted as much radiation as a coal power plant (due to natural uranium in the coal), they would be shut down.

Its just nuts.

Posted by crosspatch 2011-03-10 04:01|| 2011-03-10 04:01|| Front Page Top

#2 In all fairness, refining various rare earths is difficult and very polluting.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-03-10 08:32|| 2011-03-10 08:32|| Front Page Top

#3 Which is why, 'Moose, the tree-huggers are so happy to have the Chinese do the pollution.

Posted by Bobby 2011-03-10 12:34|| 2011-03-10 12:34|| Front Page Top

#4 The Chinese control 97% of production because for centuries the overwhelming bulk of REE minerals were used for coloring fireworks...

Posted by Glenmore 2011-03-10 12:58|| 2011-03-10 12:58|| Front Page Top

#5 Which is why, 'Moose, the tree-huggers are so happy to have the Chinese do the pollution.

Yeah, I guess it counts as "green" as long as it's in someone else's back yard.

Posted by gorb 2011-03-10 13:51|| 2011-03-10 13:51|| Front Page Top

#6 It's a funny thing about pollution: it tends not to stay in one place and it doesn't respect borders.

As far as substitutes go, necessity is the mother of invention.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2011-03-10 14:52|| 2011-03-10 14:52|| Front Page Top

#7 Didn't they find quite a few rare earths on the Moon? I do seem to remember there were significant deposits at one landing site. That would be one excellent reason to go back there. Use solar radiation for 90% of the power requirement, use the best possible means of separation in that type of environment, and ship the very small quantities needed in electronics back to Earth. I'm sure China isn't trying to get to the Moon for utopian reasons.

Posted by Old Patriot 2011-03-10 20:54|| 2011-03-10 20:54|| Front Page Top

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