Rare earth elements, such as lanthanum, neodymium and terbium, are critical for helping the world break its long, destructive relationship with planet-heating fossil fuels. These materials — so-called rare earths — are not actually that rare but can be challenging to extract as they are often found in low concentrations. They wanted to understand whether this was “a geological accident, or is there something inherent about those iron-rich volcanoes that makes them rich in rare earth elements?” Anenburg told CNN. Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, a former iron-ore mine, could also hold rare earth elements. Some experts have suggested there should be more of a focus on recycling rare earth elements rather than mining.

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Persons: ”, Michael Anenburg, Anenburg, Jamie Kidston, Lingli Zhou Organizations: CNN, Australian National University, University of, Chinese Academy of Sciences, ANU, Companies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Wildlife Locations: China, Kiruna, Arctic Sweden, United States, Chile, Australia, Vrije, “, Missouri