Better Mining of Energy Minerals Sought in U.S.-Backed Effort
- Rare earth elements, 14 minerals included in initiative
- U.S. is partnering with Australia, Botswana and Peru
A visitor walks past a brine lake at a lithium mine in the Atacama Desert, Chile.
Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. and three other countries announced a partnership to encourage responsible mining of rare earths and other minerals used in car batteries, wind turbines and solar panels, as explosive demand for renewable energy is expected to drive a global rush of exploitation.
The Energy Resources Governance Initiative, whose other founding partners are Australia, Botswana and Peru, covers the 17 rare earth elements along with 14 minerals including copper, lithium, uranium and manganese. It seeks to “share best practices and encourage a level playing field,” the State Department said in a note Thursday unveiling the initiative.