James Hedrick
Chairman, Advisory Board
U.S. Rare Earths, Inc.
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Chairman, Advisory Board
U.S. Rare Earths, Inc.
James Hedrick retired from his position as the rare-earth commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey in early 2010 after 31 years. He has studied all aspects of the rare-earth elements for the U.S. Government since 1981. His past responsibilities were to prepare the U.S. Government's reviews and publications on a variety of minerals and metals. He continues to write articles for the minerals industry and has chaired various sessions on rare earths and strategic and critical minerals in both the United States and Europe.
He started his government career in Oregon in 1978 as an engineering geologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-civilian. A year later he transferred with the government to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the U.S. Bureau of Mines to research strategic deposits, prepare cost feasibility studies, and review environmental impact statements for the Director of the Bureau of Mines. In the early 1980's he accepted a job with the U.S. Bureau of Mines at their headquarters in Washington, DC, as the rare-earth commodity specialist. In addition to the rare earths, including yttrium and scandium, he was assigned an increasing number of mineral commodities including thorium, mica, hafnium, and zirconium. Special projects and publications included mercury, rubidium, gold, high-temperature superconductors, U.S. trade sanctions, suspensions of U.S. trade tariffs, and rare-earth applications in defense systems.
Major Uses: domestic consumption, transportation, building, electrical
Import Dependency for U.S.: 38%
Major Importers: Canada, Russia, China, Mexico
Major Uses: construction, transportation (predominantly automotive), cans and containers
Import Dependency for U.S.: 7%
Major Importers: Canada, European Union, China, Mexico
Major Uses: aircraft gas turbine engines, cemented carbides for cutting, wear-resistant applications
Import Dependency for U.S.: 81%
Major Importers: Norway, Russia, China, Canada
Major Uses: building construction, electric and electronic products, and transportation equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 30%
Major Importers: Chile, Canada, Peru, Mexico
Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada
Major Uses: coins and medals, industrial applications, jewelry and silverware, and photography
Import Dependency for U.S.: 65%
Major Importers: Mexico, Canada, Peru, Chile
Major Uses: automotive electronics, pagers, personal computers, and portable telephones
Import Dependency for U.S.: 100%
Major Importers: Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany
Major Uses: petroleum-reforming catalysts, superalloys used in turbine engine components
Import Dependency for U.S.: 86%
Major Importers: Chile, Netherlands
Major Uses: catalysts to decrease harmful emissions in light- and heavy-duty vehicles, also used in chemical and petroleum refining sector, and fabrication of laboratory equipment
Import Dependency for U.S.: 94%
Major Importers: South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada
Major Uses: Jewelry and arts, electrical and electronics, dental and other
Import Dependency for U.S.: 33%
Major Importers: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile