Bayan Obo: Rare earths have been described as the oil of the 21st century, incredibly valuable both economically and in the fight against climate change. There’s a battle underway around the world to mine and control these minerals—a battle that is currently being won by China.
According to BBC, as demand rises, the problems with rare earths are also becoming clearer because getting them out of the ground requires strip mining and the use of poisonous chemicals. This extraction process leads to significant environmental impact, raising questions about the sustainability of the race for rare earths.
BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker has witnessed the environmental consequences firsthand on a visit to the rare earth hubs of Bayan Obo in northern China and Guanzuo in the south. She has been speaking to locals about the benefits this booming industry brings and the damage that it can cause. Residents express mixed feelings, acknowledging the economic benefits while voicing concerns over environmental degradation.