The discovery of vast rare earth minerals on the ocean floor somewhere in the Pacific ocean could prove to be a significant find, but aren’t there issues of extraction and how to handle the radioactive waste caused by rare-earth mineral mining?This could prove to be a long process due to the environmental implications.
The Official reason given by the Chinese was that it was to prevent pollution(as most of the Rare Earth metals mining is done illegally today in China).
But the unofficial reason(which is also doing the rounds of the blogosphere is like this)-The Chinese want to save these valuable metals for themselves and their industries.
Instead of shipping the raw materials to Western manufacturers,they want to move up the manufacturing chain and export these high quality products themselves.
This is obviously a very strong move(on China's part).We need to understand that Self-interest always takes priority over rulings from international organizations like the WTO.So China won't losen its chokehold over exports.
But the more important question is Why have'nt alternatives surface?Its been over 2 years that China is behaving like this now.
Is Capital today so scare that it can't be used to fund such projects???
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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