Cambridge team makes ‘new atlas’ to help find critical rare earth metal deposits

Cambridge researchers created a global atlas that links rare earth deposits to the edges of Earth’s thickest, oldest continents.

The team analyzed chemical data from 9,000 rock samples plus seismic data to identify where rare earth-bearing rocks are most likely to form.

The map could help companies find new domestic sources of critical minerals used in smartphones, EVs, and wind turbines.

That may reduce reliance on China and improve supply security for Western countries.