Rare metals, also known as rare earth metals or rare earth elements, refer to a group of chemical elements that are part of the periodic table. These metallic elements are considered rare due to their limited natural occurrence on Earth's crust compared to other elements. These metals possess unique properties and are essential in various technological applications.
Varying in atomic number, rare metals include 17 elements, namely scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), and the 15 lanthanides (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), and lutetium (Lu)). Despite the name, some rare metals are not truly "rare" in terms of overall abundance, but they are often found in low concentrations and dispersed throughout the Earth.
Rare metals possess several unique characteristics, such as high magnetic, luminescent, and electrical properties. These attributes make them highly valuable in the production of various electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, televisions, and renewable energy technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. They are also crucial in the manufacturing of aerospace components, defense systems, and medical equipment.
Due to their significance in modern technologies, the availability and sustainability of rare metals have become a subject of concern. As the demand for these materials continues to rise, efforts are being made to explore alternative sources, optimize recycling processes, and reduce reliance on limited deposits.
