Rare Earth Metals: Uses, Minerals, Geology, Prospecting: Strategic Metals for we need for Technology

Rare Earth Metals: Uses, Minerals, Geology, Prospecting: Strategic Metals for we need for Technology

Rare earth metals are the most important elements that most people have never heard of or even if they have heard of them, they know very little about them. Without these unusual metals – the rare earths, your life would be totally different – in our technology, we use them every day. Today we will talk about prospecting for Rare Earth deposits: the minerals, the geology, the mining and how the metals are extracted and purified. And why the whole world is slave to China to buy them.
For those who want to learn more about Prospecting and finding gold check out my book, Fists full of Gold. It’s an encyclopedia of everything on the topic of prospecting. It’s available on Amazon. You can find it at (affiliate):

For even more information on prospecting, minerals, gems and other related information you can also check out my website at:
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prospect/chris_prospect.htm
The Prospecting and Mining Journal magazine can be found at:
http://www.icmj.com

50 Comments

  1. Harold Wagner on October 7, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    Why are U always gesturing with both hands, like a preacher.

  2. alicia vobb on October 7, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Hi Chris! Loved your video – extremely relevant and impartial information which made for a terrific educational video 🙂

  3. Stephen Rother on October 7, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Lots of rare earth in the southwest USA. Seen rich areas of magnetic. Not sure what the names were. USA has ( reserves ).

  4. MIKE BUSCH on October 7, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    Chris I thought that there were some rare earth elements in the southern calif desert. Oops you answered my
    Question. Seems like need to go back to the desert and figure out The problems.

  5. Matthew Wilson on October 7, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    I always enjoy your content Chris and I’m glad to see you cover this topic. I collect the elements of the periodic table and I have all but three of the rare earth metals which I’ll end up buying eventually. I’ve extracted and purified some of the rare earths on my own from old broken rare earth magnets, ferrocerium rods and a few other sources I’m saving up in storage into a hopefully economically viable volume to process eventually. It’s a personal hobby, so it only needs to be economically viable one time really.

  6. David Grenis on October 7, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    HERE I GO AGAIN THANK YOU VERY MUCH VERY VERY MUCH CHRIS FOR DELVING INTO RARE EARTHS SORRY I HIT THE SEND BUTTON THE SEND BUTTON AND THE LITTLE MICROPHONE FOR SPEECH TO TEXT OR TOO CLOSE TOGETHER ON MY PHONE ANYWAYS WHAT I WAS THINKING IS OKAY IN THE MINING OF GOLD AND OTHER MINERALS THE WASTE ROCK THAT’S CREATED FROM THE MINING AND MAILING WHAT CHANCE IS THERE OF RECOVERING RARE EARTHS FROM THESE WASTE PILES
    IT’S FUNNY HOW SO MANY YOUTUBERS ARE FROM NEVADA YOURSELF JEFF WILLIAMS WONDER HUSSY
    GUY AND MR M OF I THINK IT’S CALLED LOST AND FORGOTTEN PLACES OR BOSTON LOST MINES OR WHATEVER BE NICE TO GET YOU ALL TOGETHER FOR LIKE A JAMBOREE BUT SO BUT AS BOTH YOU AND JEFF WILLIAMS OUR GEOLOGIST IT’D BE NICE TO SEE YOU GET AND DO SOMETHING TOGETHER BUT PLEASE DO CONTINUE ON WITH THESE RARE EARTHS WE NEED MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE EXPLORING AND IF WE GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY MIGHT STUMBLE INTO AND IT’S IMPORTANT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD
    THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS IDEA AND RUNNING WITH IT JUST PLEASE KEEP RUNNING WITH IT THE
    I’M 70 YEARS YOUNG AND MY BACKGROUND IS ELECTRONICS AND ENGINEERING BUT LIVING IN BOULDER COLORADO IT’S ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE TO GOLDEN COLORADO AND THE SCHOOL OF MINES AND I GREW UP WITH A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO WENT THERE PLUS I’M OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE KNOWN SOME OF THE OLD TIMERS WHO ARE MINORS WHEN I WAS A CHILD
    I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THE DEAD SHOPPING CENTER ON HANCOCK IN BULLHEAD CITY SHOULD BE CONVERTED INTO A SCHOOL OF MINES WHERE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND JEFF WILLIAMS COULD TEACH I HAVEN’T BEEN THE BULLHEAD FOR YEARS NOW BUT I WOULD GUESS THAT SHOPPING CENTER IS STILL DEAD ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SMITH’S GROCERY STORE THEY DID PUT A TRACTOR SUPPLY IN THERE BEFORE I LEFT IN MAY OF 2014 AND I STILL OWN A HOUSE AT 9:05 CORAL REEF JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM SMITH’S GROCERY STORE AND A FEW BLOCKS FROM RIVER CHAPEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD WHERE BRUCE RALPH IS THE PASTOR WHO WAS ORIGINALLY A YOUTH PASTOR AT A LARGE CHURCH BACK EAST IT’D BE NICE TO SEE YOU BOTH GET TOGETHER AND MAYBE HAVE YOU TEACH A CLASS ON GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTING TO THE KIDS OF THE CHURCH THERE
    THANK YOU AGAIN AND GOD BLESS YOU
    DAVID GRENIS LIVING IN BOULDER COLORADO USA

  7. Mahammud Ibra on October 7, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    What a lesson.please i need of it sir or one by one go in details to end (mining).Thank you God bless you sir.

  8. Tino Ardhyanto on October 7, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    Thank you for your easy-to-understand information on rare earth metals. Rare earth metals suddenly became sexy from commodity trading perspective. People should know better about rare earth metals in order to use it properly. Very good 👍

  9. Jay Dixon on October 7, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    I was curious what lithium looks like? Maybe what the rare earth magnet materials are made of? I heard lithium is liquid but never seen a sample before. I also heard that if all the mines in north america, started collecting rare earths, it would be enough to replace China foothold

  10. Kathleen Mayhugh on October 7, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    So to be "green" their has to be toxic waste

  11. David Grenis on October 7, 2021 at 12:28 pm

    THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH CHRIS IT MAKES ME THINK OF THE TOWN OF RHYOLITE AND WHEN JEFF WILLIAMS IS OUT PROSPECTING HE’S ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT MONSONITE
    ,

  12. Pute Krig on October 7, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    I say this because i care, So in your age it is very important to keep your self healthy. And you should just do a full body check so you can detect cancer if you have. But always hopefully not.

  13. Barrett on October 7, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    As per usual, China does the dirty work to provide us with "green" energy and animatronic holiday decorations, funded by the outsourcing global citizenry of the investor class, then we’re shocked and appalled that they beat us at our own game. More like brown energy. Throw some more money at the cake, and you’ll have it after it’s eaten. Don’t be a pessimist and concede the positive evil of infinite economic growth as a fundamental principle of social organization. Heresy! Like the unbridled growth of cells in a human body exposed to rare earth mine waste, it’s a beautiful thing… apparently. We’re making the clean–green future out of that toxic waste. I’ll stop my ranting now, sorry for the philosophical interjections; haggard from the pace–done fast over right. Great video as always. I also think your criticism of conflict mineral sanctions is an apt and often overlooked one.

  14. Smithsgold on October 7, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    Great infomation as always

  15. Sas Al_mahrouqi on October 7, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    Thanks for great talk.
    Is there a specific exploration programe for REE. What tools what methods what analysis one can use?

  16. Typical RockHound on October 7, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    Ontario Canada !

  17. James Davis on October 7, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    this is VERY informative. Would you do one about indium?

  18. HONO COROKO on October 7, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    I liked the way you explained, great info I have many learned thanks Chris.

  19. T Andreoli on October 7, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    Hello if you see this where you in hoopa if you are where where you bc I think I just see you

  20. Harold Wagner on October 7, 2021 at 12:35 pm

    Did U go to the Colorado School of Mines? Why is the US so far behind in developing these rare elements?

  21. Mohd Fadzil on October 7, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    I hope ur book can be read in malay/ bahasa melayu translation sir

  22. James Davis on October 7, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    1951 Principles of Chemistry "0ne pound sample of gadolinium sulfate, brought into contact with a 1000 gauss magnet, causes the temperature of the sample to drop in temp to 1 Kelvin"

  23. Nelson Semino on October 7, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Hi there! One idea that will help you sell more copies! Since you are already selling your book on Amazon.com, Why not have it also published in the Kindle format. I’ve looked at the price, but I hate the taxes! To where I live, taxes on it are as much as the price of the book itself. To me the book is a curiosity, so I am happy to pay the courier, but that high taxes is (politically) a big NO.

  24. secret treasure on October 7, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    ””””””’ THANKS,,,,,,, SÜPERRR,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!

  25. Tom Wolfpack on October 7, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    Hi i have rock that weigs 1.334 kilos (alot for its size) i thought was metall because of its weight. its very gold shiny and looks like pure gold it is not magnetic. There is a bit of crystal in it, a spot of rust but looks like processed gold. If it is real how much can i expect to get for it? Its larger than a baseball.

  26. Michael Elbert on October 7, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    have you heard about these metal being concintrated in modules near black smokers?

  27. Charles Chiponda on October 7, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    Consider me subscribed good sir.

  28. Abdul Latif on October 7, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    Dearest sir i want to purchase ur published fist full of gold here in Pakistan for last two years it is not available in market.Guide me in this regards.

  29. mark on October 7, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    Great video Chris, Thanks

  30. Fresh Impact Co. on October 7, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    Hi Chris, I would love to show you some really unusual finds that for the life of me figure out what it is.

    Anyway to contact you?

  31. Buster Worley on October 7, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    Wind power and solar is a joke.

  32. zebafridi Khan on October 7, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    Congratulations sir 100 likes Happy

  33. Heavy Meadow Detective on October 7, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    Ain’t no thumbnail like a Chris Ralph thumbnail!

  34. Darren Marney on October 7, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    So Chris 😃 Awesome Information 💯% Maybe a question Sir 🤔 Is there any probability of potential for such elements to be extracted from the oceans if the opportunity of mineralisation exists 🤫 Technically the cost of available alternatives has benefits if it represents a significant progress for society 😃🤔

  35. Tmb1112 on October 7, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    Thanks! Really into Rare Earth Metal research, so this was an amazing resource to learn a lot.

  36. NUGGET SHOOTER JOURNALS on October 7, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Another great lesson, thanks Chris

  37. Lady Flibblesworth on October 7, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    was trying to figure out why Darwin and his best buddy loved my mountain. Were all in love with our little Marylin here in South wales UK. Orange stained rocks everywhere, worse since the mine shaft blow out after that earthquake (I suspect) damaged some shafts in the worlds wettest coal seam few years ago. Was very loud, fault lines near me. Was also very loud couple of months back when our street turned orange thanks to our new geyser from all those shafts. We live on the Neath disturbance apparently, in UK info is very censored and local governments concerned that educated public might be thieves, even though its all perfectly legal with no protected sights. The changing geology between Drummau mountain and the Neath valley in a short distance is shocking every 100 yards or so. It seems I might be living in a very interesting geological location, what’s the most valuable substances I aught to be looking out for in your opinion? We have many coal tips, slag piles….also orange, red and purple staining in many rivers. Big glaciers in the past and huge tectonic pressure creating our huge coal field endless valleys and a couple of tectonic boundaries and thrust faults. I thought this might be an excellent new hobby for stimulation and exorcise for our whole family, but I was hoping you might be able to tell me some good tips to make day trips worth while 🙂

  38. Lord Wessex on October 7, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Chris. Many Thanks for your reply and link.
    I guess that there may be ancient sedimentary deposits of Monazite rich sand that hardened to sandstone, or perhaps clays rich in other rare earths now metamorphosed to slate etc?

  39. A Patterson on October 7, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    Wow! I always learn sooo much from you. Can’t thank you enough.

  40. Kirby James on October 7, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Sir i have a stone here the color is blue, i dont know what is it…

  41. pawan parihar on October 7, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    I learn lot of things from your vedios thank you

  42. HighOnThunder on October 7, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    Thanks for the video, Chris. Thorium might become a hot item when they succeed in making a "clean" nuclear reactor with it.

  43. Rodney J Snider on October 7, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    Thanks again for your in-depth and methodical explanation of the REE minerals and exploration for those minerals (:o)

  44. Bob Werner on October 7, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    Can the rare earths be separated by float teck ?

  45. Dee Lunbeck on October 7, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    I just wanted to say thank you from my home here in Shoshoni Wyoming I’m an old guy 70 years and been a rock hound since I could walk anyway thank you very much sir very educational and hope to meet you someday best wishes and God bless

  46. Kristal Macleod on October 7, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Chris Hi’ my name is Kris-tal and I have 2 STone’s I would like Your opinion on ? ThanK You OHHHHH they are NOT Crystals.

  47. agustin ruiz on October 7, 2021 at 1:10 pm

    Very interesting, can i get rare earth from iron and aluminum foundries dross?

  48. 紀章kisho on October 7, 2021 at 1:11 pm

    could rare earths be created artificially (instead of geological extraction)?

  49. Snacks Two go on October 7, 2021 at 1:11 pm

    You need JESUS. Pray to HIM, HE loves you.
    When you die as we ALL will soon. 99.9 sooner than they think 🤔 ..you will kneel before JESUS. Romans 10:5/10. The One and only true Son of GOD Almighty, all others are false..we are all sinners and need JESUS. JESUS was crucified on the cross at Calvary and then on the third day rose again, for you and I (John 3:16). So, Choose this day whom you’ll serve. For if you don’t it will be chosen for you and that is HELL
    Arguing with me is silly at best. Bc I’m just the messenger…
    💌
    Please call .
    83.For.Truth.☎️.👍.. .. .. ..k

  50. Glen Caple on October 7, 2021 at 1:11 pm

    Great info. Thanks.

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