Rare earth metals are becoming rarer and more attractive

Not too long ago in our national history, mining for rare earths (Market Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals (REMX) was an American enterprise. As in so many other areas, such as nuclear power, automobiles and technology, it was decided that the US would shut down industries and farm the work out. The Chinese took the lead and became the world’s supplier of over 97% of these crucial rare earth elements. Now it is the Americans coming, hat in hand, to petition Beijing a la Oliver Twist with a “Please… may I have some more?”