The purpose of Poetslife is to promote the art and discipline of American Tactical Civil Defense for families and small businesses and to contribute practical American civil defense preparedness guidance for all Americans through my articles in the The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA.ORG) Journal of Civil Defense and leadership as the volunteer Vice President of TACDA.

2/16/2021

American Rare Earth Elements Vulnerability

The greatest American tactical civil defense and national security vulnerability is our almost total dependence on the CCP for rare earth elements

I invested years ago in an American rare earth elements mining operation in Nevada in hopes of correcting that vulnerability. Sadly, that company had serious leadership issues and never became productive.

We have to have a crash program like the Manhattan Project to correct our extreme vulnerability and dependence on the atheist and brutal Communist Chinese Party (CCP) for rare earth elements for our defense stockpile.

Given the dependency of the American military, solar, electric cars, cell phone, computer, industrial machinery and other sectors of American life on rare earth elements, and the CCP plans to play hardball with us to limit our sources for them, you need to know about rare earth elements.

Learn about rare earth elements here and here and hereHere is a quick introduction.

Lynas USA: FAQs Safe for our people, safe for our communities and safe for the environment   

Q. Who is Lynas? 

A. Lynas is a publicly listed Australian company. We operate one of the world’s highest grade Rare Earth mines, Mt Weld, in Western Australia and an advanced materials processing facility in Malaysia. As the only significant producer of separate Rare Earth materials outside of China, we provide an important alternative for outside China manufacturers in high technology markets, including green technology. Lynas was purpose-designed as an ethical and environmentally-responsible producer, and we are certified under international standards. This includes being assessed by 3rd parties for our approach to sustainability. 

Q. What are Rare Earths and why are they important? 

A. Rare Earths are a group of 15 elements in the periodic table known as the Lanthanide series, plus Yttrium. Rare Earths are used in the manufacture of many things we use every day – from smart phones to cars, electrical appliances, and importantly, hybrid and electric vehicles. 

Q. What are Lynas’ plans in Hondo, Texas? 

A. We are excited by the opportunity to create a new enterprise in the U.S. Subject to finalization of arrangements with our long term partner in the U.S., Blue Line, and significant work to characterize the site, our current plan is to locate our proposed Light Rare Earths separation facility adjacent to our proposed Heavy Rare Earths separation facility in Hondo, Texas, at the current Blue Line site. We believe Texas and Hondo are excellent locations for a Rare Earths processing facility and will both serve our U.S. customers and support the U.S. government’s moves to strengthen its industrial base and make supply chains more resilient. 

Q. How many jobs will the proposed facility in Hondo, Texas create? 

A. We are undertaking an economic impact assessment and will provide an update when the assessment is complete. 

Q. Can you explain Lynas’ recent contract the U.S. Government? 

A. As announced on January 22, 2021, Lynas is delighted to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a Light Rare Earth separation facility in the United States. This funding will allow us to accelerate planning and studies. Rare Earths separation capability has been absent from the United States for several years, and this co-funded plant will ensure the U.S. has a secure domestic source of high quality separated Light Rare Earth materials. Security of supply is an essential foundation for the renewal of downstream specialty metal making and permanent magnet manufacturing in the USA. 

Q. How much will be invested in the new facility? 

A. The funding amount from the US Government for the Light Rare Earths project will be capped at approx. US$30 million and Lynas is expected to contribute approximately US$30 million under the agreement. 

Did you know? 

1. A single smartphone contains 8 different rare-earth materials. 

2. Rare Earths make cars greener – Cerium (Ce) is used in catalytic converters to reduce exhaust gas pollution. 

3. Neodymium (Nd) is the strongest known magnetic substance. 4. Many MRI machines use Neodymium (Nd) magnets. \ Lynas USA: FAQs Safe for our people, safe for our communities and safe for the environment   

Q. What are the next steps for the new facility? 

A. We are currently at an early stage of planning. We will follow proper processes and procedures before we finalize our planning and site selection.    

Q. When will the new facility be operational? 

A. We are currently at an early stage of our planning and will provide an update on timing when appropriate.    

Q. What is Lynas’ approach to sustainability? 

A. We are passionate about sustainability and having a positive effect on our people, our customers and suppliers, our communities and the environment. We offer mine to magnet traceability and Life Cycle Assessment with selected partners. We have an excellent track record of compliance, including with local laws and regulations. We also adopt international best practice and participate in external sustainability and verification initiatives. 

Lynas is a Signatory to the United Nations Global Compact; both of our current operating sites are accredited to ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems); and the Lynas Malaysia plant was awarded a Gold EcoVadis CSR rating across the environment, labour and human rights, ethical and sustainable procurement, ranking in top 5% of companies evaluated. 

Q. Will you be mining in Texas? 

A. No, our mine is in Western Australia. 

Q. Is the material Lynas will processes in the U.S. radioactive? A. No. The material that will be used to feed the proposed plant is not a radioactive material. 

Q. How much water will the plant use and what will happen to waste water? 

A. We are working through all details, including water, as part of our detailed planning. We will consider all options, including reuse and recycling. 

Q. Are Lynas’ operations safe? 

A. Yes. Our first priority will always be ensuring our operations are safe for our people, safe for our communities, and safe for the environment. We have been operating in Western Australia for over 10 years and in Malaysia for 8 years. During that time we have demonstrated that we are a lawful and compliant company and we have never been involved in a public health incident. You can read our latest Sustainability Report at: https://www.lynascorp.com/sustainability/our -commitment-to-sustainability/ Fast 

Facts 

1. Rare Earths are often call the “vitamins of modern industry” because of their special properties which help to improve technologies.

 2. Lynas is the world’s second largest producer of separated Rare Earth materials. 3. Rare Earth Elements are not rare in the earth’s crust – but they’re rarely found in commercial concentrations as they are Lynas’ Mt Weld resource.