The sustainability spiral.

This article discusses the challenges and complexities of predicting and managing the availability of materials needed for technological advancements and the transition to cleaner energy sources. It highlights the potential supply crunch for neodymium, a rare earth metal used in various technologies, due to increasing demand for neodymium-based magnets. The article explores the difficulties in accurately predicting material availability and emphasizes the importance of considering social, ecological, and geopolitical consequences in mining practices. It also discusses the potential for recycling and reusing materials to create a more sustainable and stable supply. The article concludes by mentioning ongoing research and development of alternative magnets that could potentially shift the rare earth market. [Extracted from the article]