Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements found in the periodic table, including lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium. Despite their name, these metals are not necessarily rare in abundance but are difficult to extract and refine. They play a crucial role in modern technology, being essential for the production of smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. These metals are often used in small quantities but have significant impacts on performance and efficiency. For example, neodymium is vital for making powerful magnets used in wind turbines and headphones. The growing demand for these technologies has increased interest in sustainable mining and recycling of rare earth metals.