[Savage Beast]

Question:
Where in the USA can rare earths be mined?

Bing:
"The Mountain Pass Mine is an open-pit mine of rare-earth elements on the south flank of the Clark Mountain Range, just north of the unincorporated community of Mountain Pass, California, United States. The mine once supplied most of the world's rare-earth elements. Owned by MP Materials, it is the only rare earth mining and processing facility in the United States."

"The mine closed in 2002 due to environmental restrictions and competition from Chinese suppliers"

[ryderann]

They could re-open our mines in the mountains of Western North Carolina too. They’re full of goodies.

[PIF]

“The mine closed in 2002 due to environmental restrictions and competition from Chinese suppliers”

—
That was after Clinton closed the even bigger mine in the upper states - dakota idaho montana - at the request of his chinese friends

[granada]

Lol. California won’t fail PRC China.

[gnarledmaw]

Yes, the name you are both looking for is Richard Blum.

[thecodont]

Environmentalists working for the Chinese, perhaps?

[PapaBear3625]

"The mine closed in 2002 due to environmental restrictions and competition from Chinese suppliers"

I think we may find that the Chinese were paying off environmental groups to shut down US competition. China has an advantage in that they don't have to pay any attention to any environmental effects of their mining.