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The U.S. wants to mine the deep sea for rare minerals. Science shows what's at stake

Some countries, including the U.S., want to mine the seafloor for rare earth elements used in smartphones and electric cars. But other nations are concerned about the environmental impact.

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Emily Kwong (she/her) is the reporter for NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, Monday through Friday.
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