_Darkside_
_Darkside_ t1_jahtwhp wrote
Reply to comment by BocciaChoc in German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh
The west does not care about those things either. Just look at oil extraction in the US or open-pit coal mines in Germany as examples.
_Darkside_ t1_jajcsn0 wrote
Reply to comment by BocciaChoc in German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh
So your point is that Germany is fine destroying the environment on a large scale for almost worthless low-grade coal but does not want to do so for high-value rare earth.
If there were any known sources that are economical to exploit in Germany it would be done. Especially if that would reduce dependency on China. Similar story for the US.