We often hear about the high price of minerals like gold, silver, and copper. But, few had heard of rare earth elements, used in technologies from cell phones to jet-fighter engines, until recently. In a matter of months, rare earth elements have emerged from relative obscurity to become the focus of the world’s new gold rush. And, China is in the lead.  VOA Afghan service reporter, Philippa Levenberg reports on where miners and recyclers are looking for these materials, opening mines and prospecting in technology equipment.