Abandoned gold rush-era mines could soften China's stranglehold on rare earth metals

Abandoned mines from the 19th-century gold rush could contain rare earth metals, elements vital for the production of smartphones, TVs, hybrid cars, and other electronics. The Associated Press reports that dumps of discarded material from gold rush mines could be rich with rare earths. The US Geological Survey (USGS) and Department of Energy are current searching the country in the hope of uncovering the vital metals in the hope of breaking China's stranglehold on worldwide supply.