Rare Earth Elements
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemical elements found in the Earth's crust, often occurring together in nature due to their similar chemical properties. Despite their name, these elements are not actually rare in terms of abundance in the Earth's crust. However, they are often dispersed and challenging to extract economically, making them valuable and critical for various modern technologies. This article will delve into what rare earth elements are, their properties, uses, extraction methods, and their significance in the global economy.