Recently we have been hearing a lot about rare-earth metals. The context is almost always political, while not much is said about the economic and technological component. However, nowadays rare-earth metals, also known as rare-earth chemical elements, are widely used in the energy, nuclear, machine-building, metallurgical, chemical, petrochemical, glass and defense industries. Over the past 30 years, there has been an explosive growth in demand for rare-earth metals in the world, and today there is no industry where they are not used. We talk about the scope of application of these substances, traditional and alternative methods of obtaining them with Gumen GORBANNIDJAD, a researcher of the brain tumor department of the N.N. Alexandrov RSPC, a lecturer of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Institute of Advanced Training and Retraining of Healthcare Personnel of the Belarusian State Medical University.

— Why are some metals called rare metals?

— Rare-earth metals, contrary to their name, are widespread enough. They got their name because of very low concentration — the elements are very scattered, none of them is not found in pure form in large quantities, so mining is difficult and expensive.

There are quite a lot of rare metals. One of them is the 51st element of the Mendeleev table, antimony. It is a metalloid, it occupies an intermediate place between metals and non-metals. The substance is poisonous: when inhaled, the element damages the lungs, and it is also toxic to the skin. The first mention of antimony dates back to 3100 B.C. In ancient Egypt, women smeared it on their eyelids for beauty, and over time they lost their eyesight: at that time they did not know about the poisonous properties of antimony. At that time doctors prescribed it as an antiparasitic medicine, which helped, but at the same time caused poisoning of the whole body. The ancient Greeks smeared the substance on their skin as a lotion and got poisoned. Thus, many people suffered before the toxic properties of antimony were discovered.

— Where is this material used today?

— Rare-earth metals are used in a wide range of fields, from electronics to energy. 

Now, for example, it is known that antimony kills not only parasites, but also cancer cells, and scientists are working to neutralize the poisonous properties and the element can be used in medicine as an anti-cancer drug.

Rare metals can change the properties of other substances. For example, if antimony is added to plastic, it becomes fireproof. The substance is added to semiconductors so that computers can work better and faster. It is used in the manufacture of alkaline batteries: added to lead, it makes batteries last longer. Antimony is also added to the fibers of firefighting suits used by lifeguards and Formula 1 racers to increase strength and protect against burns. In the military industry, the substance is combined with lead to improve the properties of the latter: the bullet deforms less and hits the target better. It should be said that today about 90% of antimony used worldwide is produced in China, Russia mines 3-4%.

Rare-earth metals play a strategic role in the creation of high-tech products. For example, neodymium is used in the production of electric cars. There is even a concept of «neodymium magnets», which due to their properties allow to create more compact and lighter electric motors with high performance. They also provide faster acceleration and better energy efficiency. In addition, neodymium is used in laser technology, electronics, in the production of various types of glass, hard disks, in medicine, and agriculture.

— It is now clear why countries with rare metals are becoming increasingly attractive to many players in the global business...

— Most rare-earth metals are concentrated in China. Many rare elements are found in Ukraine, for example, although there are relatively few on the European continent as a whole. Belarus is not far from Ukraine, and we may have them here as well, but so far no large-scale searches have been carried out. Nowadays with the help of satellite and space technologies it is possible to find useful elements even on another planet, not to mention ours. And it is not difficult for states that have space technologies.

It should be said that it is not necessary to go to war for rare-earth metals. There are other methods of extraction. For example, before 1860, the US had fierce wars over very small islands, even though they had no military or other strategic importance. Gull droppings were collected on them for decades, and this is nitrogen fertilizer, without which agricultural production is impossible. At that time, 4 kg of nitrogen cost as much as 1 kg of gold. At the same time in the East for nitrogen fertilizer they arranged large pigeon houses, and there were no wars for nitrogen. 

Now rare metals in many countries are obtained from secondary raw materials, for example, from garbage. Switzerland annually about 50 kg of gold and 3 tons of silver is extracted only from sewage and thus covers the cost of sewage treatment. Scientists in today’s world are discovering more and more cost-effective techniques, and these methods are expanding every year. Some countries not only recycle their waste, but also import secondary raw materials and earn on it. And the technology does not need to be invented, it has long been invented and improved, so for developing countries, it is enough to purchase it. For example, if it is reasonable to recycle electric cars and extract neodymium from there, you don’t need a mine.

Elena KRAVETS