Rare earths: what are, characteristics, what are they use and where are they

Rare earths are a Group of 17 chemical elements that are in the periodic table and have unique propertiesespecially in the conduction of electricity and magnetism. Despite their name, they are not necessarily rare, but difficult to extract in usable concentrations. They are essential in the manufacture of modern technological devices, from mobile phones and batteries to wind turbines and military equipment.

Its importance is that they have characteristics that cannot be easily replaced by other materials, which makes them strategic for industry and technology. However, their extraction and processing generate environmental concerns, since they are usually mixed with other minerals and require polluting processes for separation.

The most important and used rare lands of the 17 are the following:

• Neodimio (ND): It is used in high -power magnets for wind turbines, electric motors and hard drives.
• EUROPIO (EU): It is key in LED and fluorescent screens, as it helps produce bright colors.
• Terbio (TB): It is used in televisions and low -consumption lamp screens.
• Lantano (LA): fundamental in the manufacture of chamber lens and rechargeable batteries.
• Disposio (Dy): It is used in magnets resistant to high temperatures, essential for electric cars.

The rest of the rare earths are:

• PRASODIMIO (PR)
• Samario (SM)
• Gadolinio (GD)
• Holmio (Ho)
• Erbio (ER)
• Tulio (TM)
• Iterbio (yb)
• LUTECIO (LU)
• Scandio (SC)
• Ititrio (y)

Rare earths have unique chemical and physical properties that make them indispensable in multiple technological applications. Let’s see what its most important characteristics are:

• Exceptional magnetic properties: Some elements of rare earths, such as neodymium and disposium, have a great capacity to generate powerful magnetic fields. Thanks to this, they are ideal for manufacturing high performance magnets used in electric motors, wind turbines and data storage devices.
• High electrical and thermal conductivity: Several elements of this group, such as Lantano and Cerio, have a good capacity to conduct electricity and heat, which makes them key materials in the manufacture of electronic components and industrial catalysts.
• Luminescent properties: Elements such as Europium and Terbio have the ability to emit light in different colors when they are excited with ultraviolet or electric radiation. Thanks to this property, they are used on LED screens, televisions and fluorescent lamps.
• Moderate chemical reactivity: Rare earths are relatively reactive and are usually found in nature combined with other elements in minerals. They are not in its purest state and require refined processes for extraction.
• Difficulty in its extraction and processing: Although they are not particularly scarce in the earth’s crust, their obtaining is complex because they are dispersed and mixed with other minerals. In addition, its separation requires intensive chemical methods that can generate environmental pollution.

Rare earths have a wide variety of applications in technology, industry and science. Thanks to their unique properties, they are fundamental in the development of advanced electronic devices, renewable energies and military equipment. We will analyze some of its most important uses:

• Electronics and technological devices: Rare earths are essential in the manufacture of mobile phones, computers, televisions, tablets and other electronic devices.
• Renewable energy and electric mobility: Neodymium and Disposio magnets are fundamental in electric vehicles and wind turbines, since they allow efficient conversion of mechanical energy into electricity.
• Aerospace and Defense Industry: Rare earths are strategic materials in the manufacture of radars, communication systems, advanced armament and alloys used in airplanes and submarines.
• Medicine and health: Some rare earth elements, such as gadolinio, are used in magnetic resonance equipment (RM) to improve the quality of medical images.
• Catalysts and industrial processes: Cerio and Lantano are used in oil refining and in the manufacture of special glass, while the ititrium and the proseodymium improve the resistance of ceramics and metal alloys.

Rare earths are not found in large concentrated deposits such as other minerals, but dispersed in small amounts within different types of rocks and minerals. Although they are present throughout the earth’s crust, their extraction is difficult and expensive due to their low concentration and the complex refining processes they require.

Currently, only some countries have the ability to extract and process rare land on a large scale. The main producers worldwide are:

• China (absolute leader in production): China dominates the rare earth market, concentrating more than 60 % of world production and controlling most of the refinement.
• USA: It has the Mountain Pass mine in California, one of the largest rare earth deposits outside China. Although production has increased in recent years, the country still depends on China for the refinement and processing of these elements.
• Australia: It is the third largest producer of rare earth and has important reserves in the Mount Weld site.
• Myanmar (Burma): It has become a key actor in the production of rare earths in recent years, with exports that end mainly in China for refinement.
• India: It has considerable reservations, especially in Monacitas on the coast of Tamil Nadu. However, its production is limited due to government restrictions and technological challenges.

In Spain, there are rare earth deposits, although its exploitation is limited and is not yet done on a large scale. The main identified deposits are in:

• Ciudad Real (Castilla-La Mancha): The most studied area is located in the Montiel field, where significant concentrations of Monacita, a mineral rich in rare earths such as neodymium and praseodimium have been detected.
• Galicia: In this autonomous community, deposits with rare earth potential have been identified, mainly in the province of Orense.
• Estremadura: The region has mineral deposits containing rare earths, although its economic viability is still under study.
• Andalusia: In Sierra Morena and other areas of Córdoba and Huelva, signs of rare earths in rocks and minerals have been found. However, there are no active extraction projects.

Now that you know what rare earths are, you may be interested in reading this article on how mineral extraction affects the environment.

If you want to read more articles similar to Rare earths: what are, characteristics, what are they use and where are theywe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.