oh, dear, the Prius uses SO many rare earth metals

poopfuel

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Mon Aug-31-09 11:44 AM
Original message

oh, dear, the Prius uses SO many rare earth metals

And folks just keep buying 'em.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE57U02B20090831

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texastoast

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Mon Aug-31-09 11:46 AM
Response to Original message

1. Makes a great argument for Smart Growth

instead of commuting.

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gristy

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Mon Aug-31-09 01:16 PM
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2. What's your take on this?

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TheWraith

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Mon Aug-31-09 02:04 PM
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3. Sheesh, who sent out the "rare metals" talking points today? nt

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texastoast

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Mon Aug-31-09 02:34 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. Nothing wrong with the facts

Somehow, I think using electricity to power autos can be made simpler without such apparently devastating environmental implications. I for one do not know how these metals are obtained, but I do know that we should not rape the land so hybrid drivers can feel better about their fuel consumption if, in fact, it turns out to be nothing more than an illusion. This is not to diminish the intent of hybrid drivers. Our current way of approaching the problem just might prove to be the wrong path. We need foresight of how this will turn out, looking back 100 years from now (like the oil barons should have).

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phantom power

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Mon Aug-31-09 02:37 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. Both of those stories were posted on the oil drum

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NNadir

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Mon Aug-31-09 04:49 PM
Response to Original message

6. One of the fun things about this case is that monzonite contains so much thorium.

Edited on Mon Aug-31-09 04:51 PM by NNadir

Many rare earths were mined to make color TV sets, and the radioactive thorium was dumped.

The dumped thorium represents many thousands of years worth of energy reserves.

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AlecBGreen

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Mon Aug-31-09 08:50 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. can we still access it?

if it was mined and refined and the thorium dumped, does that still mean there is a "pile" of it somewhere that can be utilized?

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NNadir

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Mon Aug-31-09 09:22 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. Absolutely. The main uses for thorium besides as a fuel have been for camping gas lanterns

Edited on Mon Aug-31-09 09:23 PM by NNadir

and for the manufacture of very high temperature crucibles.

I note that all of the world's thorium is radioactive, not that this has ever resulted in someone trying to ban either television sets or camping trips.

These uses have hardly impacted the size of the huge thorium dumps that exist around the country.

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