Rare earth elements prevent being sold at a low price and smuggled in disguise for export

Rare earth elements

Rare earth elements, also known as rare earth metals, are rare elements such as gadolinium, yttrium, neodymium, samarium, promethium, holmium, scandium, cerium, europium, erbium, thulium, terbium, lanthanum, dysprosium, ytterbium, praseodymium, lutetium, etc. 17 A collective term for these elements. Among them, promethium is a man-made radioactive element, which has not been found in natural minerals. The chemical properties of rare earth elements are similar, with silver-white metallic luster, and can form carbonates and phosphates that are slightly soluble in water.

For some time, domestic and foreign media have often reported on this important strategic resource of rare earth elements. In Western media reports, we can often see accusations and suppressions of China. What do you say: The Chinese government restricts rare earth exports Leading to higher prices; rare earths have become China's diplomatic tool; neighbor Japan accused China of interrupting the export of this important mineral, and so on.

Foreign politicians often come to China to demand the Chinese government to continue exporting rare earths. For example, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited my country on July 18, and in late August, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada came to Beijing for dialogue. The requirements in this regard. At some international conferences, there were also articles about rare earths and criticizing China.

The importance of rare earth elements

The role of rare earth elements in cutting-edge technology, weapons and equipment, national economy and people's livelihood, low-carbon economy, etc. is too important. Foreign power said that rare earths are genuine 21st century gold, and their status in many high-tech fields is irreplaceable. Rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, scandium, and yttrium are widely used in many industries. Rare earths are inseparable from the production of a large number of daily necessities such as mobile phones, computer hard drives, and monitors. Rare earths can be used to make hybrid cars, solar panels and wind generators.

Foreigners say that rare earths are well-deserved as future elements, and their status in the industry is becoming more and more important. With my country's Chang'e-2 launch of the Long March 3 C carrier rocket, the navigation system will use rare-earth permanent magnet materials to radiate rings. In high-power permanent magnet motors, satellite communications, radar technology, remote sensing and telemetry, navigation and positioning, electronic countermeasures, and electronic tracking, it is indispensable to use high-performance, low-temperature coefficient samarium-cobalt permanent magnet materials.

Western News Agency said that rare earths are indispensable elements in various weapons and equipment, such as the precision guidance of smart bombs, radars and night vision devices, from iPhones, fiber optic cables to missile guidance systems. For example, the navigation system on the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank manufactured by General Dynamics uses samarium cobalt magnets; the AN/Spyl radar system equipped with the destroyer Aegis manufactured by Lockheed Martin also uses Samarium cobalt magnets and the rare earth materials used are irreplaceable. Rare earth elements are not only used in the production of mobile phones and radars, but also in wind turbines and hybrid vehicles. Cerium is used to polish semiconductors and to produce catalytic converters, so low-carbon technologies from catalytic exhaust gas purifiers to nuclear fuel rods are also indispensable. A very small amount of dysprosium can make the magnet in the motor 90% lighter, and terbium can save the bulb by 80%, so it is very important for the production of low-energy-consumption light bulbs. Rare earths are important raw materials for the production of many technological products, including airplanes and automobiles.

The annual output of Toyota’s Prius hybrid car will reach 1 million, and each car of this type requires 16 kilograms of rare earths. Neodymium is one of the most common rare metals. The production of ultra-high-performance engines and generators requires the use of magnets composed of neodymium, iron and boron. Lanthanum is also a rare earth metal, and it is the main element of hybrid vehicle batteries. The two heavy rare earth elements, dysprosium and terbium, are particularly in short supply. 99% of the world’s dysprosium and terbium are produced in China, and most of China’s output comes from about 200 mines in northern Guangdong and neighboring Jiangxi.

Rare earths are essential in low-carbon technologies ranging from catalytic exhaust gas purifiers to nuclear fuel rods. As countries seek to reduce the use of fossil fuels, rare earths will be destined to be a market with exponential growth in the next few decades.