28 Jan 2013: Report Boom in Mining Rare Earths Poses Mounting
Toxic Risks The mining of rare earth metals, used in everything
from smart phones to wind turbines, has long been dominated by
China. But as mining of these key elements spreads to countries
like Malaysia and Brazil, scientists warn of the dangers of the
toxic and radioactive waste generated by the mines and
processing plants. In November, the first shipment of raw “rare
earth” minerals arrived at an $800 million processing plant on
Malaysia’s east coast near the home of Tan Bun Teet. The plant,
run by Australia’s Lynas Corporation , has since begun refining
the rare earth metals, essential components in wind turbines,
hybrid cars, smart phones, cruise missiles, and other high-tech
products. Once fully operational, the plant would become the
world’s largest processing facility of rare earths, breaking
China’s near-monopoly on producing the prized elements. But Tan
and others in the region are concerned that the Lynas Advanced
Materials Plant, known