Part 2/12:
The story begins at the Mountain Pass mine in California, located deep within the Mojave Desert. Discovered in the 1960s, this mine was once the largest source of rare earths outside China. Initially considered geological oddities, their potential was realized when europium was found to enhance red in color television screens. Over the decades, Mountain Pass became pivotal in the U.S.'s rare earth industry, supplying critical materials for high-tech applications.