India, Jan. 22 -- Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metals that underpin modern technology, enabling gadgets ranging from smartphones to military aircraft.Their supply is extremely concentrated despite their relative abundance, placing them at the epicenter of global geopolitical and economic conflict.

The term rare earth elements (REEs) refers to 17 metallic elements with unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. These elements are vital to the miniaturization and performance of modern technology. In addition to scandium and yttrium, which are grouped together because of their comparable chemical activity and frequent co-occurrence in nature, the group comprises the 15 lanthanides.

The term "rare earth" is a his...