Five Rare Earths Crucial for Clean Energy Seen in Short Supply - Bloomberg

Limited supplies of five rare-earth minerals pose a threat to increasing use of clean-energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels, a U.S. Energy Department report found. The substances -- dysprosium, terbium, europium, neodymium and yttrium -- face potential shortages until 2015, according to the report, which reiterates concerns identified a year ago. The 2011 report studied 16 elements and related materials, including nickel and manganese, which are used to make batteries. The analysis of so-called critical elements began after rare-earth prices jumped following imposition of export restrictions in 2010 by China, the world’s major producer. “Diversifying the global supply chain is key,” David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the Energy Department, said today in Washington. “Developing substitutes is also key.”