The HC Commodities Podcast The Rare Metals War: pollution, politics and the energy transition with Guillaume Pitron
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Oct 27, 2021 
Guillaume Pitron, journalist and author of 'The Rare Metals War,' dives into the murky waters of rare metals in the energy transition. He discusses how the West's offshoring of pollution to Asia, particularly China, has altered global power dynamics. The conversation highlights neodymium's critical role in electric vehicles and the severe environmental impacts of mining in China. Pitron warns of the public health crises linked to these practices and the geopolitical tensions arising from China's dominance in the rare metals market, reshaping our understanding of sustainability.
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Nature of Rare Metals
- Rare metals are diluted in the Earth's crust, making their extraction complex and impactful.
- They are critical due to supply risks, not just scarcity, important for energy and digital transitions.
Environmental Damage in China
- Guillaume Pitron witnessed severe pollution near Chinese rare earth mines, with chemical dumps and cancer villages.
- Illegal mining and refining practices cause huge environmental damage hidden from Western consumers.
Offshoring Pollution to China
- The West offshored pollution-heavy mining to China in the 1980s to avoid environmental harm at home.
- China exploited these industries with little regard for environment, gaining economic power and supplying the world cheaply.