Despite their name, rare earth elements are not rare. Small amounts can be found in your backyard. They’re trapped in what looks like ordinary rock. But there are only a few places on earth with concentrations high enough to mine. In 2015, Lesley Stahl explained how China replaced the United States as the top producer of rare earths. | 60 Minutes

39K views · 718 reactions | Rare earth metals are making headlines as demand rises for products from smartphones to wind turbines, and as governments seek secure supply. But what’s ‘rare’ about them? Here are some facts: https://reut.rs/43oMZqW | Reuters | Facebook