UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 86 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Rare Earth Metals

Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?

1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.

2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country.

3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: C. 1 and 3 only

Verdict

Correct Answer: 1 and 3 only

Statements 1 and 3 are correct because global concern over Rare Earth Elements is due to China’s export control and their rising importance in electronics, clean energy and defence, while statement 2 is incorrect due to their wider geographical occurrence.

Analysis

Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 elements used in modern high-tech, clean energy and defence industries. The concern is mainly due to China’s dominance in supply and processing, and their growing strategic demand.

Statement by statement

1. China has imposed restrictions on the export of these elements — Correct

China is a dominant producer and processor of Rare Earth Elements.

Any restriction by China affects global supply chains, especially electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence industries.

2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country — Incorrect

This statement is incorrect because Rare Earth Elements are not geographically limited to only a few countries.

They are found in many countries, including India, USA, Brazil, Vietnam and Russia. The issue is not their absolute scarcity, but difficult extraction, processing and China’s dominance in refining.

3. Rare Earth Elements are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements — Correct

Rare Earth Elements are used in smartphones, computers, electric vehicles, wind turbines, LED screens, batteries, magnets and defence equipment.

Their demand is rising due to clean energy transition, digital technologies and strategic defence applications.

Extra UPSC info

* Rare Earth Elements include 15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium.

* They are called “rare” not because they are extremely scarce, but because they are rarely found in concentrated, economically extractable deposits.

* Neodymium and dysprosium are important for high-strength permanent magnets used in EVs and wind turbines.

* India has rare earth resources mainly in monazite sands along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

* IREL (India) Limited, under the Department of Atomic Energy, is involved in rare earth mining and processing in India.

* Rare earths are critical minerals because they are important for technology, energy security and defence supply chains.

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