Chapter 7 - Framework for Sustainable Mining of Rare Earth Elements A2 - Filho, Ismar Borges De LimaWalter Leal

Abstract The dependence of modern society on critical and/or strategic minerals such as rare earth elements is continuously growing as a result of numerous end uses and other factors that have been recognized previously. This chapter proposes the adoption of a framework that can be used to guide the extraction of rare earth elements under sustainable development principles. The proposed framework includes fundamental elements that contribute to a holistic sustainable platform for rare earth elements. It expands on the existing sustainable development framework and proposes (1) five basic pillars: economy, society, environment, technology, and (geo)politics; (2) three controlling/limiting factors: policy, governance, and stakeholders; and (3) a number of output quantities to be used in decision making that can also be used as sustainable development indicators.