Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic chemical elements that are essential for modern technologies. Despite their name, REEs are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust but rarely occur in concentrated, economically extractable deposits. They are strategically critical for electronics, renewable energy, electric vehicles, defence systems, catalysts, magnets, and advanced materials.
List of Rare Earth Elements (17)
Lanthanides (15):
Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Promethium (Pm),
Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy),
Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), Lutetium (Lu)
Additional REEs:
Scandium (Sc), Yttrium (Y)
Scandium and Yttrium are grouped with REEs due to similar chemical behavior and co-occurrence in REE mineral deposits.
Types of Rare Earth Elements
Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs)
La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm
Characteristics: More abundant, easier to extract, lower average market value (except Nd, Pr).
Key uses: Permanent magnets (Nd, Pr), glass polishing (Ce), battery alloys (La).
Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs)
Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu + Yttrium
Characteristics: Scarcer, difficult to separate, higher market value.
Key uses: High-temperature magnets (Dy, Tb), lasers & optical fibers (Er),
phosphors & LEDs (Eu, Y).
Key Properties of REEs
✔ Soft, silvery metallic appearance
✔ Exceptional magnetic properties
✔ Strong optical and electrical behavior
✔ High affinity for oxygen
✔ Very similar chemistry → complex separation processes
Major Applications
• Electric vehicles and wind turbines (Nd, Dy, Tb)
• Electronics, smartphones, hard drives
• LEDs, phosphors, displays
• Defence and aerospace systems
• Catalysts (oil refining & pollution control)
• Medical imaging (Gd in MRI)
Major REE Minerals
Monazite: Phosphate mineral rich in LREEs, contains thorium (radioactive).
Bastnäsite: Carbonate–fluoride mineral, primary commercial source of LREEs.
Xenotime: Phosphate mineral rich in HREEs, especially yttrium.
Strategic Importance of REEs
✔ Critical for energy transition technologies
✔ Limited and concentrated global supply chains
✔ High geopolitical sensitivity
✔ Essential for defence and high-tech industries
REE Recycling & Environmental Challenges
Only ~1% of REEs are currently recycled. Recycling is technically complex due to low concentrations and embedded use in complex products. Mining and processing generate significant waste and may involve radioactive byproducts.
Approximate REE Price Ranges (2025–2026)
| Element (Oxide) | Price Range | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neodymium (Nd₂O₃) | $77 – $134 | USD/kg | Permanent magnets |
| Praseodymium (Pr₂O₃) | $78 – $130 | USD/kg | NdPr magnet alloys |
| Dysprosium (Dy₂O₃) | $200 – $408 | USD/kg | High-temp magnets |
| Terbium (Tb₄O₇) | $870 – $1,785+ | USD/kg | Very scarce HREE |
| Cerium (CeO₂) | $1.38 – $7 | USD/kg | Polishing, catalysts |
| Lanthanum (La₂O₃) | $0.56 – $7 | USD/kg | Battery alloys |
Why Choose Rare Earth Elements?
Rare Earth Elements are indispensable for modern industrial civilization. They enable high-efficiency motors, renewable energy systems, advanced electronics, and defence technologies. Secure and diversified REE supply chains are now a global strategic priority.