Resources Under Greenland's Shrinking Ice Sheet to Spark Mining Rush
<div class='node-body'><p>Given recent and unprecedented melting of Greenland's icy surface, leaders from Greenland and across Europe are now proposing to open up the country's pristine wilderness to an onslaught of international mining companies. Below Greenland's disappearing ice sheet lie vast amounts of "rare earths" -- a small group of 17 elements, which are currently in great demand.</p>
<p>Rare earths are used in the production of computers, batteries, phones, high-tech equipment, medical technology, electric cars, wind turbines, and countless other technologies.</p></div><div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-news-hp-image">
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<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/07/31-3" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
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