Rare Earth Elements (REE). Geology, technologies, and forecasts

Rare earth elements (REE) is the common name for a group of 17 special elements that over the last 20 years have seen increasing industrial significance, even to the extent that uncertainty regarding future supplies has caused geopolitical concern in the western countries. The rare earth elements are considered critical raw materials by several countries in the western countries. This issue is also relevant in a Danish context, both in relation to parts of the industry, (e.g. the wind turbine industry, which is a heavy consumer of rare earth elements), and because constrains in the raw materials supply chains abroad can spill over and consequently delay the green transition. Another consequence of international interest in these rare earth elements has resulted in large exploratory activities of Greenland’s plentiful deposits of rare earth elements.