For some time, the topic of rare earth resources is very sharp and lively. Why the United States sealed a large domestic resource-rich rare earth mine? Japan imports a lot of what the strategic intent of rare earth resources? How rare earth materials have important applications in the end? China’s rare earth resources in the context of sharp decline, the United States and other developed countries have repeatedly put pressure on China to force the export of rare earth resources in China continues low-cost trying to do? How effective development of China’s rare earth resources and protection? … … All the questions and arguments that deserve serious study and discussion.
China: rare earth reserves to reduce red
The evidence shows that by 2010 China’s export of rare earth 39,813 tons, 30,258 tons higher than the originally planned 9,555 tons. At the same time, rare earth smuggling continue to spread, and then dug illegal mining of environmental degradation caused by increased private. According to statistics, in 2009, after less than a year ago, the China Customs continuous cracked earth smuggling case, involving a total volume of tons of earth.
Rare earth resources in the world the fierce competition, we should learn from the experience of some countries, there are plans to develop rare earth resources, efficient use and protection of rare earth resources.
Development and protection are not waste
A long time, the “pork” or even “Chinese cabbage” price of cheap exports of rare earth resources, leading to sharp decline in reserves of rare earth resources. October 2009, “RE Father,” Xu Guangxian Chinese Academy of Sciences pointed out in a media interview, five provinces in southern China bears a very valuable medium and heavy rare earth, industrial reserves of 150 million tons, but has been mined for more than 90 million tons, only 60 million tons, according to the current production rate, 10 years, mining is done. At that time, we have to buy the U.S. and Japan, they may be more than a hundred times, thousand times the price “sale” of rare earth materials.
Staggering waste of resources of rare earth. According to Xu Guangxian introduction, the main east Baotou iron ore mining 10 million tons of ore containing rare-earth 50 million tons, among which 10%, 10% of waste, the remaining 80% into the tailings dam. Bayan Obo rare earth ore mines the world’s largest rare earth resources may disappear within 30 years. Xu Guangxian in 2005, two letter to the State Council in 2006, an urgent appeal to protect the Bayan Obo ore and rare earth resources, to avoid the Yellow River and the header by radioactive contamination.
RE is a strategic resource, but also to civilian military, but China has been exporting to the United States and Japan, rare earth resources. China’s rare earth resources, mining and trade in the orderly management of the approach is consistent with WTO rules. In this principle, we can not succumb to pressure from other countries.
Development process to protect the environment
In the very long period of time, during the development of rare earth resources, extensive production methods exist serious waste of resources and a series of problems, especially some weak corporate environmental awareness, environmental pollution is serious. For example, each pool leaching mining a ton of earth, to destroy 200 square meters of surface vegetation, topsoil stripping of 300 square meters, resulting in 2,000 cubic meters of tailings a year that 1200 cubic meters of soil erosion.
Ganzhou mine management bureau Resting description: “From the mid to late 80s of the 20th century onwards, the ‘open the large mines, small mines open, fast flow of water’ under the influence of erroneous thinking, into abuse of rare earth resources in Ganzhou mining, excessive digging and disorderly chaos of competition, almost every county mining, the peak of a mining permit to mine up to 1035. “He said:” As technology and ideas behind the many mining act ‘threw half eaten half of’ not only serious waste of resources, but also caused great damage to the local ecological environment, a few months after the devastation of Castle Peak, a loess. “vice mayor of Ganzhou City, according to Liu Cong introduction:” To protect the environment, improve the utilization of rare earth resources, from Since 2003, a full cessation of Ganzhou City, the comprehensive recovery of less than 50% of the pool dipping process, complete cessation of recovery in 2007 less than 70% of the heap leaching process, and actively explore and all use of more than 80% recovery of in situ leaching process. “However, industry experts point out that even if the improvement of mining technology, can not avoid damage to the environment, but once the surface vegetation destruction of mining, recovery very difficult.
More than a year ago, the United States, “New York Times” website entitled “conducive to exploitation of the earth element is devastating,” the article says, some of the most green technology — from electric cars to energy-saving light bulbs to large-scale wind — generators rely on a special set of material can exist, they are collectively known as rare earth elements, these elements are almost entirely produced in China. Dysprosium and terbium in rare earth elements are very scarce, because they are the magic ingredients of green energy products. Very small amount of dysprosium in the magnet to the motor 90% lighter, Tb, you can make 80% energy saving light bulbs. 99% of the world, dysprosium and terbium from China, while most of China’s production capacity from neighboring provinces of Jiangxi, Guangdong Province in the north and about 200 mines. Exploitation of rare earth resources in serious damage to the local ecological environment. The article said, Guyun Village, a small village in southeastern China, dense bamboo and banana trees, clearly visible signs of environmental damage, soil compaction has been cracking brown, barren land in the valley below, there was growth of green rice. Acid used to extract rare earth elements in streams and eventually into rivers, destruction of paddy fields and fish farms pollute the water. This may be the U.S. national archive of rare earth rare earth ore imports from China, the main reason.
In 1986, China’s first ultra-rare earth production the United States. The United States a report entitled “Rare Earth Elements — global supply chain” report statistics show that in 2009, China rare earth reserves of 3,600 million tons, accounting for 36% of the world rare earth reserves, production was 12 million tons, of the world’s rare earth production 97%. In stark contrast, the U.S. reserves of 13 million tons of rare earth, accounting for 13% of the world’s rare earth reserves, while the output is zero, the required resources are mainly imported from China Rare Earth.
Improve the overall economic and social benefits
According to statistics, in 1980, world production of 26,000 tons of rare earth ,2007-2008, the global annual output of 124,000 tons of rare earth, including China, the largest yield of 12 tons, accounting for 96.8% of world’s rare earth production, followed by India , 2700 tons, 650 tons in Brazil. Rare earth reserves, the United States and the CIS countries accounted for 32.5% of the world rare earth reserves, but so far rare earth production to almost zero; Australian rare earth resources, but after a few years to provide rare earth resources; Japan, the United States and other developed countries continue to import large quantities of rare earth resources. December 2010 German “Der Spiegel” reported that in 2011 Germany will establish research centers of rare earth and other raw materials, the German scientific community will ensure the development of domestic industries to provide a safe, sustainable, competitive raw material to contribute. However, this is not the short term can be achieved. Over the long term, global demand for rare earth resources will continue to increase, the price of rare earth resources, continue to call.
Based on global supply and demand trends of rare earth resources and reserves of rare earth resources in China to reduce the situation, our policy should be, first, to strengthen macroeconomic control, further improvement and regulate the development order, and improve resource recovery and utilization of rare earth; second, in the mining process in increasing the level of production technology, doing everything possible to protect the environment, do not leave our future generations troubles; third, to increase R & D investment, and enhance scientific and technological innovation ability, to master the core patents and improve core competitiveness and increasing voice in the international market and pricing to increase the overall economic and social benefits. At the same time, to establish a reserve system. “RE Father,” Xu Guangxian that the U.S. Department of Defense and Japanese Defense Agency has a strategic element of reserve system requirements include 16 kinds of rare earth elements, including 35 as a strategic element. He proposed that we should establish a strategic resource reserves.
Embedded in a few countries, “Industrial vitamin”
Existing exploration shows that 29 countries and territories of rare earth resources, but mainly concentrated in several countries and regions. According to the U.S. Geological Survey Bureau, 2009 World reserves of rare earth resources, about 98.5 million tons, of which China accounted for 36.5%, the CIS countries accounted for 19.3%, U.S. 13.2%, Australia 5.5%, India 3.1%, other countries and regions accounted for 22.3%.
China’s rare earth reserves have accounted for about 90% of global reserves. Since 1958, exploitation of rare earth resources in China, 50 years for other countries to supply a large number of rare earth resources, the domestic rare earth reserves declined sharply. Especially from the 90 years since the 20th century, the export volume of rare earth resources in China increased 10-fold, China’s export volume of rare earth resources in the world’s rare earth resources account for more than 90% of total exports. “Shanghai Securities News” in October 2010 citing data from the Ministry of Commerce officials, in the past 13 years, the share of global reserves of rare earth resources in China has proven reserves of rare earth resources, the proportion of the total from 43% to 30%, according to the current mining speed, rare earth resources in China can only sustain future demand for 15 to 20 years.
The United States ranks third in the world rare earth reserves, for the protection of rare earth resources, the United States in 1997 sealed the largest proven reserves of 430 million tonnes of rare earth Mountain Pass mine. United States, “Science News” November 19, 2010 citing a new report says 14 states found that a large number of rare earth minerals, which is the largest known reserves of California Mountain Pass, Alaska State Bokan Ezra Bell Mountains and the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.
For reasons of national security and economic security considerations, the U.S. is re-earth strategy, prepare to restart rare earth mining. British “Financial Times” Web site published in September 2010 entitled “The United States re-earth strategy,” the article describes: “The U.S. is a hurry to take action to restore production and defense equipment and materials necessary for green technology to address all of China Leading the growing concern of rare earth industry. “The article quoted the House of Representatives 凯茜达尔肯 Bo as saying:” If we do not take action to ensure we have adequate supply, then the national security and economic security, our country will certainly be in danger . “bill she has proposed to the United States within the next five years to achieve self-sufficiency.
Australia so far is still the country of rare earth production is zero, but investors expect a number of years in Australia or in rare earth producer. October 2010 Agence France-Presse quoted the Australian mining company responsible for Linus, vice president of business development Matthew James as saying: “As China’s own limited resources, their development needs of China and China’s desire to improve the efficiency of domestic production, we believe that the next 5 years to 10 years, China may become a net importer of rare earth. “one investor said rare earth, people will soon be” high concern “Australia. He said: “When you read the recent scarcity of rare earth international literature, you will find reference to Australia. But no one knows, Australia’s rare earth reserves account for 46% of the world’s rare earth reserves. Moreover, our mineral deposits may be the world’s richest and best. ”
Japan has no rare earth resources, but it is up to the national reserves of rare earth resources. “Japan Times” Web site in October 2010 citing data from the Japanese Ministry of Economy showed that 90% of Japan’s rare earth supply is dependent on China. According to Professor Liu Gang introduced in Okinawa, Japan, Japan since 1993 to start building the system and base metals reserves. It is estimated that the stock of Japan’s rare-earth enough to use at least 20 years of the country. October 10, 2010, Hong Kong, “Ming Pao” the editorial pointed out that scientific and technological power of Japan as early as 20 years ago to begin the implementation of rare earth reserve, Japan’s strategy has a strong strategic intent. Japan’s reserves of rare earth can be used for 50 years. October 3, 2010 Agence France-Presse quoted the Japanese Teikyo University Valley of the recommendations on the import of rare earth resources: “In the long run, Japan should make supply diversification and better risk management. 90% of the supply is dependent on China is very difficult. “Japan continues to import from China rare earth resources, is expanding other sources. According to Agence France-Presse Oct. 22, 2010 briefing, Japan, and Vietnam is ready to agree on joint development of rare earth resources. Vietnam to provide at least two rare earth ore 7,000 tons per year of rare earth resources, sufficient to meet the Japanese demand for more than 20% of the earth. According to November 24, 2010 Japan’s “Yomiuri Shimbun,” Introduction, a Japanese trading company in Australia to obtain a rare earth mining rights, private enterprise has a local base to reach a consensus on the issue. If a formal agreement, Japan may be in the next few years to ensure that each year about 8500 tons of rare earth, rare earth equivalent to the annual demand in Japan for nearly 30%.
Rare Gold — twenty-first century
Currently, the world’s rare earth resources has proven less than one million tons, is both scarce and very important strategic resource. The State Council Leading Group for former members of the Group of Rare Earth bears Garcia March 19, 2010 in an interview, pointed out that almost no one does not recognize the rare earth in the new energy, environmental protection, new materials plays an important strategic emerging industries the role of the “New Energy and Automation melt, in the 21st century will become the industrial revolution of the century.”
The use of rare earth materials is very extensive and important. April 2010, Hunan Rare Earth Metal Material Research Institute, pointed out in a media interview, rare earth elements can be formed for each thousand billion industry. Therefore, the earth is known as “industrial vitamins.” RE resources are widely used in many industries, not only in high-tech industry, and mobile phones, computer hard drives, monitors and other daily necessities the production of a large number of rare earth can not be separated. Therefore, the earth is also known as genuine “21st Century Gold.”
April 2010, the Japanese “Fuji Industrial Business Daily” published entitled “China master the Gate of the U.S. manufacturing sector, sharp weapons,” the article quoted Congressional Audit Office (GAO) report released before the show that China has mastered the U.S. high-tech Gate of weapons manufacture. This paper introduces the rare earth is samarium, neodymium, lanthanum, terbium, platinum and other elements referred to as 17, is to create “smart bomb” precision guided weapons, radar and night vision goggles and other weapons are indispensable and irreplaceable element . Within the next few years, the U.S. military industry have to continue to rely on imports from China Rare Earth.
End of the year 2009, the United States successful test flight of Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The main structure is composed of carbon fiber composite and titanium materials, in the voyage when the fuel savings of 20%, less greenhouse gases. The aircraft used new materials and rare earth, non-ferrous metals and other raw materials related. The United States at low cost imports from China and other developing countries, these raw materials, then these raw materials into new materials, assembled into a better performance of the aircraft, and sold at high price countries, including China.
Automotive industry and related areas of transport is the most energy, and energy-saving hybrid is closely related to the development and rare earth elements. British “The Independent” published January 2010 This article introduces the Toyota Prius hybrid car output will reach 100 million units, while production of Prius cars need 16 kilograms each rare earth. Xiong Qi said: “This figure can be questioned, may not be the 16 kilograms of rare earth, but the 16 kilograms of rare earth new materials.” According to his calculations, a Prius car may have 10 applications on earth, including: the application of rare-earth hydrogen storage battery materials, the application of rare earth permanent magnet materials motor, the application of exhaust gas treatment catalyst of rare earth catalyst, oxygen sensor, rubber (42695,220.00,0.52%) tires, the application of ceramic high price of rare earth materials, to reduce vehicle weight and radiation rare earth alloy used ultraviolet and glass and so on … … a revolutionary new energy vehicles is rising worldwide, more and more car manufacturers started to develop hybrid vehicles, the demand for new rare earth materials will be more and more .
Lighting is energy-hungry, many countries are developing energy-saving lamps. “Russian newspaper” in October 2010 reported that the southern Russian Academy of Sciences Research Center scientists are developing a special kind of light bulb, its power consumption compared to traditional incandescent lamp 1 / 40. Hangzhou, China, Ming dynasty, general manager of Tang Yinxuan fluorescent materials, in 2009 China produced 3 billion energy-saving lamps, energy-saving lamps of the world production of 80%, of which 80% are sold abroad. A venue in a 14-18 watt light efficiency energy-saving lamp, equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent light effect. Tang Yinxuan that from the perspective of energy-saving lamp production, increase lamp life is a necessity. “A lamp, 2000 hours, 3000 hours, or even 5000 hours to die, so that phosphor waste, waste lamps, batteries, waste materials, waste rare earth resources.” He suggested that government and the market should be support real energy and materials companies and products, recycling tubes luminescent material.
In 1987, the production of rare earth began to be used for computer and other electronic products. Then, the rare earth used in many high-tech industry, from wind turbines to the missiles, mobile phones and lighting, in particular rare earth is essential for clean energy technologies. Rare is the clean energy industry the list of core material, and even military-related high-tech and other core sectors of the national security is related to strategic competition between nations. U.S. “Patriot” missiles to intercept incoming missile is able to accurately, thanks to the guidance system used in about four kilograms of tungsten cobalt-titanium-iron boron magnets and magnet. United States, “Aegis” system spy-1 radar is also used by China’s rare earth magnets made of, without these elements, the United States, “Aegis” will “blind.”
As one of China’s strategic and emerging industries, functional materials, rare earth new materials industry, represented by a blue ocean much market attention. In the energy-saving environmental protection, new energy, new energy vehicles three major areas, rare earth materials have an unparalleled advantage, rare earth permanent magnet, luminescence, catalysis, hydrogen storage, polishing materials, etc., will become the future stars of new materials. On the importance of rare earth resources, Deng Xiaoping during his southern tour in 1992, Saying, “Middle East oil, China has a rare earth.”
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Rare Japanese refining e-waste pick up waste in the “gold”
According to Hong Kong, “Wen Wei Po”, “urban mines” of the exploitation of resources in Japan as a strategic focus in recent years. “Urban Mining” is discarded electronic products contained gold, platinum and other precious metals, and palladium, indium and other rare metals as a metaphor, because many cities the resources contained in those waste products have been the equivalent of a large amount “mine” the content. And because the resource recycling rapid technological advances, these “urban mines” as much as for Japan, even more than the natural mineral deposits.
Former Japanese Minister of Land Transport in the winter Tetsuzo inspected after a Japanese mobile phone recycling plant, we found the gold in the phone.
Not long ago, in Japan frequently accused China of its exports in the earth, “differential treatment” at the same time, several Chinese media reported that a large number of Japanese companies buy from China to do the rest of precision instruments, broken glass, in order to extract the rare earth.
Why waste glass in China has become the Japanese in the eyes of the baby? CD advanced technology, no other way. Since the beginning of the 60s of last century, Japan began on how to improve resource use efficiency of rare earth on the brains. In 1967, a Japanese company to develop a “solvent extraction separation method” and its application to industrial production to achieve the similar nature of rare earth elements in a dozen industrial application of the separation. Today, the Japanese industry for nearly 50 years of rare earth extraction and application of technology accumulation.
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