A possible new industry for West Virginia raises some old questions

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Kenwardjr Retweeted

A rare earth element and critical mineral industry could be a big deal for West Virginia. But so far, there are some big questions that need asked and answered if the state is going to avoid repeating past industrial mistakes.

https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2022/04/04/rare-earth-industry-met-with-excitement-wariness/

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Mountain State Spotlight

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

A possible new industry for West Virginia raises some old questions

Proponents say rare earth elements and critical minerals could be a big deal for WV. But industries like coal, and what they’ve done for and to the state, provide reason for caution.

by Douglas Soule
April 4th, 2022

West Virginia lawmakers spent hours before and during the most recent legislative session eyeing measures to attract another extractive industry to the state. This time, the target is rare earth elements and critical minerals: resources necessary for high-tech devices.

Paul Ziemkiewicz of West Virginia University’s Water Research Institute has been developing a process to extract the material —like cerium and yttrium — potentially turning the state’s legacy coal pollution into a financial windfall. ... “There’s nothing else like this in the world,” he told lawmakers in September, touting his method to extract the rare earth elements from acid mine drainage.

Lawmakers reacted. They introduced bills to clarify who can profit from the treated pollution, to exempt rare earth minerals and critical minerals from severance taxes and to provide tax breaks for rare earth material and critical mineral products. ... But they didn’t spend much time talking publicly about whether opening the state’s doors to the rare earth element industry could backfire, creating some of the economic and environmental problems West Virginians are all too familiar with. ... “Those are some of the considerations I think have to be made before we buy into the newest miracle that we found that’s going to resolve all our problems and give us all jobs and create a great economy,” said Cindy Rank, a longtime leader of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

Ultimately, only one of the bills was approved by lawmakers and was signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice. But the industry’s proponents say they’re planning to try again next year. ... “I do think that, looking forward, the sky is the absolute limit,” said Delegate Riley Keaton, R-Roane.

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[brush]

1. Wonder if there rare earth elements in the huge amount...

Last edited Tue Apr 5, 2022, 02:31 PM - Edit history (1)

of mining waste scattered around the state from decades of coal mining?

[2naSalit]

2. That would be the only rare earth mining...

That should happen. I bet there's something of use in all those kazillions of tons of tailings around the country.

With requiring everything to originate in the US means that mining must increase and a lot more extractive industry will be trashing our environment. There is no such thing as a wasteland in bioshperic terms and people need to recognize that the extraction practices of the past need to change BEFORE we start ramping up the activity.

All these undeveloped lands so many claim to be useless because they don't see it as a tourist attraction or some other trivial preference, are not realistically evaluating the situation and that is going to be a big problem soon. Ripping up what's left of our forests and wild areas will hasten the trophic collapse we all seem to faintly recognize is coming but can't be bothered to recognize the severity of the consequence it will bring

I am not in favor of tearing up more pristine real estate for progress and growth with no other purpose than rapid profit.

[Martin68]

4. Aren't they talking about extracting rare earth minerals from the waste from coal mining? Would

that impact undisturbed areas?

[2naSalit]

5. Depends on...

Quantity and quality at each location. I doubt it will suffice for an industry that seemingly cannot be tamed.

What is more likely is that mining in the western states, on mostly public land for a pittance. So we'll pay for it all in raw materials and then again as finished products.

And some mines were closed down for environmental reason which need to be evaluated and I wonder how well the evals will go. I don't trust Vilsak, AG Sec oversees US Forest Service, public lands where a lot of mining takes place.

I am skeptical of how this whole idea will turn out in anyone's favor but I do hope something can be done.

[Martin68]

6. I believe this article was about legislation in West Virginia, not western states.

[Martin68]

3. I suspect the process is very expensive and viable only when the price of rare earth commodities are

high. right now they probably are high because of the sanctions on Russia and trade difficulties with China.