Rare earth metals are widely used in a variety of important products (Case Study, p XXXXXXXXXXAccording to the U.S. Geological Survey, China has about 42% of the world’s reserves of rare earth metals....

Rare earth metals are widely used in a variety of important products (Case Study, p. 362). According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China has about 42% of the world’s reserves of rare earth metals. Use this information to answer the following questions.

The annual global demand for rare earth metals is projected to rise to at least 182,000 metric tons by 2020. At this rate, if China were to produce all of the world’s rare earth metals, how long would its reserves last?