2014/02/13 by Saleem H. Ali · 1 citation
Engineering · Environmental Science · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Extraction and Separation Processes #Recycling and Waste Management Techniques #Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis #Business #Environmental pollution #Rare earth #Reuse #Environmental governance #Environmental planning #Sustainability #Environmental resource management #Corporate governance #Natural resource economics #Environmental economics #Environmental protection #Economics #Engineering #Environmental science #Ecology #Earth science
paper · pdf · doi:10.3390/resources3010123
openalex publication_date 2014/02/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The use of rare earth elements in various technologies continues to grow despite some alternatives being found for particular uses. Given a history of ecological concerns about pollution from rare earth mines, particularly in China, there are growing social and environmental concerns about the growth of the mining and mineral processing in this sector. This is best exemplified by the recent social and environmental conflict surrounding the development of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Kuantan, Malaysia which led to international activism and claims of environmental and social injustice. This paper analyses the structure of environmental and social conflicts surrounding rare earth minerals and opportunities for improving the social and environmental performance of the sector. Many of these elements are used for green technologies. Opportunities exist that offer a more circular supply chain following industrial ecological principles through which reuse and recycling of the materials can provide a means of mitigating social and environmental conflicts in this sector. In addition, public engagement processes that recognize community concerns about radiation, and transparent scientifically predicated decision-making through an appropriate governance structure within regulatory organizations are also presented.