RARE EARTH ELEMENTS AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN: SEPARATING FACT FROM FALLACY

Abstract

Rare earth elements are seventeen elements that sit at the end of the periodic table and occur naturally in earth. They are found with other earth minerals and exist in traces. Recently, media has been replete with discussion of rare earth elements and their significance in new world order, as these elements are linked with production of advanced weaponry, aerospace and green technologies etc. (of prime significance in new world order). There are discussions on how Pakistan can use export of rare earth elements in winning allies and also some random estimates of their worth and quantum in Pakistan. However, there is yet no authentic mapping done in Pakistan as to the quantum etc of the rare earth elements. At the same time their extraction and separation is technology intensive process and requires huge investment, whereas the processes are pollution prone and may not be benefical to local communities. This articles provides policy options for Pakistan in matter of rare earth elements and provides a better option of using urban mines to extract rare earth elements, which will generate employment and better for local communities. Pakistan may keep doing mapping of these elements but prime focus should on be on established mineral resources like copper, gold, bauxite silicon etc.