The hunt for critical minerals is on -- in the Midwest

[Sherman A1]

Rare earth minerals — the commodities used to manufacture everything from smartphones to missile systems to electric vehicles — are in high demand. These critical minerals are also key to developing sustainable energy sources and bolstering infrastructure.

“In 1980, a computer chip was made up of less than 15 elements,” Missouri State Geologist Joe Gillman told St. Louis on the Air. “Today, with high-speed integrated circuits, it's 80-plus. The worldwide demand for this technology is clearly growing. When we look at the potential for the energy transition to the future electric cars, solar power — all require important elements.”

The U.S. Geological Survey, looking to meet that demand and bolster the supply chain, is on the hunt for domestic sources of these minerals. Currently, the country relies on imports from China, Canada and Germany.

The USGS is partnering with local agencies for this search, including Gillman’s team at the Missouri Geological Survey. They use magnetometry and radiometry to search for iron-bearing rocks and mineral-rich areas in southeast Missouri and the Illinois basin. They also conduct geologic mapping in Madison County, Missouri, where cobalt and nickel have been mined in the past, and in the Joplin region, a historic lead and zinc mining district.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2022-02-07/the-hunt-for-critical-minerals-is-on-right-here-in-the-midwest

[TexasTowelie]

1. As horrible as the environmental consequences of mining are, it would be negligent not to explore

and produce a sufficient capacity of rare earth minerals to meet our manufacturing demands.

[hunter]

2. The law of holes...

...if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

Are things like "smartphones to missile systems to electric vehicles" going to save the world?

In my utopia I don't need to own a car because I can walk to most places I need to go. And I can throw my old cell phone into the compost heap after I've grown a new one in my garden next to the radishes.