Highlights
- UN conventions strengthen global chemicals and waste governance, potentially transforming rare earth element mining and processing practices.
- New regulatory frameworks increase environmental accountability and transparency in REE extraction, with potential economic and operational impacts.
- International agreements signal a shift towards more sustainable and responsible critical mineral production, balancing clean energy needs with environmental protection.
According to a May 9, 2025 press release (opens in a new tab) from the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, in Geneva, world governments have concluded a high-stakes round of negotiations under the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, signaling a turning point for global chemicals and waste governance. The decisions, announced in a press release from the three United Nations conventions, mark significant progress in tackling pollution, reducing hazardous waste, and aligning chemical regulation with broader climate and biodiversity goals. While the spotlight has been on persistent organic pollutants and international pesticide trade, these developments may also carry serious implications for the mining and processing of rare earth elements (REEs)—a sector critical to clean energy, high-tech industries, and global supply chains.
Rare earth elements are essential for wind turbines, electric vehicles, smartphones, and military technologies. Yet their extraction and processing are notoriously dirty, producing vast quantities of toxic and radioactive waste, including heavy metals, acid mine drainage, and airborne pollutants. The latest decisions from the Basel Convention (BC COP-17), which update how waste is defined and managed across borders, could reshape how REE operations are conducted, particularly in countries that rely heavily on exporting waste streams from rare earth mining for treatment elsewhere.
According to the press release, the Basel Convention parties adopted an amendment to Annex IV to clarify disposal operations, tightening the interpretation of what constitutes “waste” under international law. This has the potential to close existing loopholes where mining byproducts might have been shipped under less stringent classifications. Moreover, the agreement to strengthen the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for transboundary waste movements could limit the ability of companies to offload processing waste without thorough regulatory checks. This may slow down international shipments of mining residues, particularly those high in heavy metals or radioactivity.
As Reuters reported in 2024, China—the world’s leading rare earth producer—has already faced international criticism for lax environmental oversight at its mines, and has been exporting waste-intensive processing operations to developing countries with less stringent controls. With Basel’s updated disposal framework, importing countries may now have more power to reject such shipments or demand greater transparency, a move that would increase costs and compliance obligations for the entire rare earth industry.
The Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) also adds a layer of complexity by expanding the list of banned or restricted persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including substances used in industrial manufacturing and equipment coatings. For instance, the listing of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), which have been used in firefighting foams and industrial treatments, could impact ancillary operations in mining areas where such chemicals are still in use for safety or maintenance purposes. According to a 2023 report by the European Chemicals Agency, these substances are known for their environmental persistence and bioaccumulative properties—traits that often characterize pollutants in rare earth mining zones.
Another key area that could influence REE processing is the Basel Convention’s emphasis on developing international technical guidelines. These include upcoming standards for managing mercury waste, batteries, and UV-328, a chemical often used in plastic coatings and which can be found in the equipment used in mining and refining facilities. While not directly aimed at rare earths, these evolving norms signal a broader tightening of the regulatory environment around industrial chemicals, including those adjacent to the REE sector.
Meanwhile, the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) reinforced global safeguards on the trade of hazardous chemicals by adding new pesticides to its PIC list. Though this doesn’t directly affect REEs, the convention’s evolving compliance mechanisms and emphasis on chemical transparency suggest that similar expectations could eventually extend to inputs used in rare earth refining processes, which often involve reagents like hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, and solvents known for their toxicity.
These multilateral moves could ripple across the entire rare earth supply chain in an increasingly interconnected regulatory landscape. More stringent classification of waste, new bans on industrial chemicals, and improved compliance monitoring will likely raise environmental standards but also increase operational costs for companies engaged in REE extraction and processing. This could accelerate shifts toward domestic refining capabilities in regions such as the U.S. and EU, where governments are already seeking to reduce dependence on environmentally risky imports.
At the same time, the conventions’ call for stronger technical cooperation and financing, including through mechanisms like the Global Environment Facility (GEF), may open up new support for countries seeking to mine rare earths more responsibly. According to the press release, over $18 billion is projected to be needed to help parties meet their obligations under the Stockholm Convention alone, suggesting that rare earth-producing nations could benefit from accessing international aid and expertise to modernize their environmental safeguards.
Ultimately, these developments show that the rare earths boom—once seen as the golden ticket to a clean energy future—will not be exempt from the tightening global net on hazardous chemicals and waste. As the 2025 COPs make clear, the path to sustainable technology must be paved not only with critical minerals but also with a deep commitment to transparency, cooperation, and environmental accountability.
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