Rare earths: The find in Sweden does not • Table.Briefings

By Michael Reckordt

Michael Reckordt, raw materials expert at the NGO PowerShift e.V.

Record rare earth discovery in Europe: The find in Sweden sparks euphoria. But the quantities will be used up quickly. Europe needs other solutions to meet the raw material needs for the climate transition. For example, a law that promotes recycling and stops wastage.

It was one of the biggest news stories on Jan. 12: The Swedish state-owned company LKAB stumbled upon more than one million tons of rare earths while searching for iron ore, more than four times the current annual global production.

Rare earths: The find in Sweden does not save us

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