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Company claims US’s richest rare-earth deposit in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley
The company bills its Sheep Creek holdings as “one of the highest-grade light rare earth projects in the U.S.,” containing “at least 12 of the critical risk elements as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey.” Key elements at the site are neodymium and praseodymium, according to the company. Both elements have a wide variety of uses, sometimes together, including in electric vehicles and in making exceptionally strong, tiny magnets inside electronics.
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Rare earth mining typically involves excavation of ore-bearing earth followed by chemical leaching in on-site ponds, or by pumping leaching chemicals through pipes directly into the ore beds.
“Both methods produce mountains of toxic waste, with high risk of environmental and health hazards,” according to a Harvard International Review report.
EPA announces $65M for three Montana Superfund sites
