China ha controlado el suministro de un grupo de minerales de tierras raras esenciales para sus fábricas, que desarrollan artículos de uso cotidiano como teléfonos inteligentes, pantallas de televisión y coches eléctricos. Esto tiene un grave coste medioambiental.

Bayan Obo Mining District

China holds a dominant position in the global supply and processing of rare earth minerals, which are crucial for manufacturing products such as smartphones, TV screens, and electric vehicles. This dominance is supported by extensive mining operations, especially in Inner Mongolia, where large-scale extraction has led to environmental degradation, including radioactive waste and toxic chemical contamination.

Local communities have been affected, with reports of health issues and displacement due to mining activities. While the Chinese government is attempting to address some of the environmental damage, concerns remain about illegal land acquisition and the long-term impacts on both people and the landscape. The global reliance on China's rare earth minerals has prompted other countries to seek alternative sources, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with rare earth mining worldwide.

China paga un alto precio medioambiental por su dominio de las tierras raras

Estas nubes de polvo se elevan desde cráteres profundos en Mongolia Interior, donde la corteza terrestre ha sido rebanada durante décadas. Las rocas se pulverizan para encontrar minerales valiosos conocidos como tierras raras. China controla el suministro mundial de minerales de tierras raras. Están en la mina más grande del mundo, incluso la han vallado para que no se pueda acceder. Pero esto no sólo está causando tensiones comerciales con los Estados Unidos, también está llegando a un enorme coste medioambiental. Los residuos radiactivos se han vertido en vastos lagos artificiales, algunos de los cuales se filtran en el suelo. Los aldeanos locales se conmovieron tras los informes de brotes de cáncer y defectos de nacimiento. En el centro minero del sur de China, los yacimientos son más pequeños. Las piscinas de productos químicos tóxicos utilizados para separar los metales salpican casi todas las laderas. El gobierno intenta mitigar los daños. Pero un agricultor local acusa a la empresa minera de provocar corrimientos de tierra y acaparar tierras ilegalmente. No existe una solución ideal. Siempre va a salir alguien herido. Los agricultores como nosotros, somos los vulnerables. Es bastante trágico. Realmente creo que es trágico. Nos están filmando. Vienen tres a filmarnos. Nuestra entrevista se interrumpe. Han bloqueado la entrada del coche. Y unos hombres que dicen trabajar para la mina impiden la salida de nuestro coche. También se enfrentan al granjero. ¿Por qué necesitas tanta gente aquí? Tardamos tres horas en convencerles de que nos dejaran ir. Pedimos una declaración a la empresa, pero se negó. China no sólo extrae tierras raras, sino que procesa el 90% del suministro mundial. En torno a esta industria han surgido grandes ciudades que dan empleo a decenas de miles de personas. Todavía hay quien se gana la vida con la tierra. Solía haber familias mongolas viviendo allí. Los mayores fallecieron y los más jóvenes se trasladaron a la ciudad para trabajar. Las empresas de tierras raras compraron nuestros pastos y nos pagaron. Aún quedan vestigios del pasado de esta región. El mundo depende de los minerales de tierras raras de China, pero EE.UU. y otros países se apresuran a conseguirlos. sus propios suministros. A menos que se aprendan las lecciones, no importa dónde se extraigan, los paisajes y las vidas serán en peligro. Laura Bicker, ABC News, Bayan Obo.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

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North Carolina

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Toronto

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Hong Kong Island

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East Coast of the United States

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Los Angeles

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Paris

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Breakdown