Metal Madness

An Australian mining company called "Lynas" has just started building a new refinery for processing rare metals in Kuantan, Malaysia. For years China has held a monopoly on the crucial metals of the earth which has contributed to their vast amounts of wealth. Now, with the construction of the largest refinery for rare earth metals beginning, it could tip the balance of power to another country. The new refinery poses some serious environmental hazards to the surrounding are which has inspired controversy. Some of the metals have been known to contain radioactivity and thus could harm the environment. Although it is somewhat dangerous, I think that they need to build the refinery for economic purposes. As of now, China controls about 95% of the world's supply of rare metals. China will continue to grow and become the most powerful nation in the world if we don't tip the balance of power somehow. If rates stay the same, the new refinery will generate over 1.7$ billion in revenue per year.

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