The metal is expensive, not because it is rare but because of the expense to produce and work it. The minerals mined for titanium are all oxides, unlike many base metals that are mostly mined as sulfide minerals.

Environmental groups last year urged Montana regulators to impose the bad actor designation, and now are seeking to intervene in the case.

Exploration for and prospecting in search of similar deposits should focus on rhyolite bodies located in fluorite-bearing areas.

We are at a crossroads; either we establish the mining, production and refining of rare earth elements here in the US or we remain subjected to the whims of the Chinese government.

• NEPA comments due
• Update on latest US Supreme Court suction gold dredging appeal
• Washington State tries to restrict suction gold dredging