Growing Dependence on Rare Earth Elements

According to an article written by Mike Orcutt in the August issue of Technology Review, http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/37779/ the US will become dependent on China for its supply of rare earth elements [[Or REE). These metals are crucial in making things like batteries for electric cars, and magnets for wind turbines. So as we attempt to case after non-global warming technologies, we shift our addictions from one ‘drug’ to another, from one not so friendly country to another, for our natural resources. But even if the US had all of its own rare earth resources right here in plentiful supply, you can bet there would be a big, BIG push on not to mine them, just as we do with our own oil.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/tra...e-earth-metals

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/1182...cal-survey.htm