Rare earth minerals

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Rare earths mine 1

The entrance gate to Steenkampskraal mine, north of the town of Vanrhynsdorp in South Africa. The mine was abandoned in 1963, and is now being turned into a rare earths facility.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 2

The mine shaft at Steenkampskraal mine, a highly radioactive contaminated site.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 3

Vincent Mora (L), project director at Steenkampskraal, is working around the clock to try and get the mine up and running as soon as possible. Robbie Louw (R) is a former managing director of Rareco and now a consultant to Great Western.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 4

Staff and visitors must wear protective booties and dosimeters to measure radiation exposure while visiting Steenkampskraal.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 5

The ruins of houses for white managers, a legacy of South Africa’s apartheid past. Steenkampskraal mine was abandoned in 1963 and is now being turned into a rare earths facility.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 6

The ruins of an old building at Steenkampskraal, abandoned in 1963 and now being turned into a rare earths mine.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 7

Old mining equipment at Steenkampskraal, abandoned in 1963 and now being turned into a rare earths mine.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 8

The ruins of an old hostel for black workers at Steenkampskraal mine, abandoned in 1963 and now being turned into a rare earths mine.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]
Rare earths mine 9

The ruins of old buildings at Steenkampskraal mine, abandoned in 1963 and now being turned into a rare earths mine.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]