With the growing demand for rare earth elements, their distribution has become a critical asset of the global economy. Discuss the distribution of rare earth elements across the world, the uses and the environmental impact of their extraction.

Growing demand for REE as :-

1. used across sectors [ex] defence, semiconductors etc

2. crucial for supply chain

3. strategically significant [ex] Yttrium used in damp manu

Distribution of REE :-

4. 90% of world's rare earth elements in China

5. India comes second with ~15% distribution for light REM

[Distribution] as critical aspect for global economy :-

(Uses)

(1) Lithium used in refractory materials in atomic plants

(2) REE used in night vision goggles, other defence equipments

(3) Used in chip fabrication & thus crucial for IT industry, automobiles, consumer goods etc.

[Environmental impact] :-

— Annapurna Singh