Into Africa: the US’ drive for African rare earth minerals

Rare-earth elements (REE) — also known as rare-earth minerals or rare-earth metals — are a group of 17 chemical elements of the periodic table. Although most of them are not terribly rare, they are highly strategic

The rare earth element (REE) mineralization of Gakara (Burundi) has first been discovered in 1936 and has periodically been the subject of geological studies, at times when the exploitation of bastnäsite-(Ce) and monazite-(Ce) was economically interesting.

As rare earth elements are a group of 17 elements with many irreplaceable properties, rare earth metals can be widely used in many areas including magnets, catalysts, metal alloys, electronics, glass, ceramics, new materials and some other high-technology fields. As essential and functional materials,

The rare earth industry continues to be an important part of not only the development and manufacture of high-end technologies, but also as a geopolitical tool in an increasingly unstable and unpredictable global market. Disruptions to

Rare earths are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically 57 through 71.  Scandium and Yttrium are also considered rare earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits

On 25 May, Burundi’s electoral commission announced that the ruling party candidate, retired general Evariste Ndayishimiye, had won last week’s presidential election with 69 percent of votes cast and an 88 percent turnout. The initial results

Rising tensions with China and the race to repatriate supply chains in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have given fresh impetus to U.S. efforts to launch a renaissance in rare earths, the critical minerals at

London-listed miner Rainbow Rare Earths reports that, resulting from a recent structural and lithological review of its Burundi-based Gakara project, three large carbonatite bodies have been identified, representing the regional source of rare earth elements. The structural

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW), the Rare Earth producer, has today provided an exploration update for the Gakara Project in Burundi. ·   Results of a structural and lithological review of Gakara have confirmed the highest priority areas

Rare earths are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically 57 through 71.  Scandium and Yttrium are also considered rare earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits

Out in the Mojave Desert in California lies the Mountain Pass mine, once the world’s foremost supplier of valuable rare earth minerals — 17 elements deemed critical to modern society. In an age where China controls 80 percent

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW), the Rare Earth producer, today provided an update on its operations at its Gakara RE mine in Burundi. Activity at the Gakara mine has continued largely unhampered by any restrictions in

Types of Magnets There are four main types of magnets: ceramic (ferrite), AlNiCo, Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), and Neodymium (NdFeB). The latter is one of the most commonly used in motors for hybrids vehicles and EVs. Neodymium

It’s important to distinguish between: ‘rare-‘, ‘precious-‘, and ‘critical-‘ earth elements. The terms are not interchangeable, but unfortunately often are in popular media.  It’s also important to distinguish between ‘reserves’ and ‘resources’. Reserves denote the amount that can be

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $18 million for basic research aimed at helping to ensure the continued availability of rare earth elements—or effective substitutes—critical to the functioning of the modern US economy. (LAB

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW), the Rare Earth Element mining company, has today announced that it has exported a further 100 tonnes of concentrate, following on from the 75 tonnes sold in February 2020. Production at

REEs refer to a group of 17 unique chemical elements: the lanthanides which are comprised of 15 elements, plus scandium and yttrium which are grouped alongside the lanthanides on account of their similar physical and chemical

With every day seemingly revealing a tragic new milestone in the global struggle against COVID-19, it is hard to think more than a few days ahead. The past few weeks and months have scarred the entire