China’s near-absolute dominance of some of the rarest rare-earth elements is choking US defence and semiconductor industries that depend on these critical minerals. According to a recent Reuters report, suppliers to US aerospace and chip-making firms are facing worsening shortages of certain rare earth elements, particularly niche ones like yttrium and scandium known. At least two suppliers have turned away some clients due to these constraints, the report said, citing sources.<h2>Why are rare earths like yttrium and scandium important?</h2>Yttrium and scandium are generally classified as heavy rare earths, a category that also includes elements such as dysprosium and terbium. Yttrium and scandium are critical for high-performance applications in aerospace and chips. They play vital roles in defence technology and aerospace components, and are used in coatings and other specialised parts.In the semiconductor industry, these rare earths are used in next-generation 5G chips and other advanced components.<h2>China’s export controls on rare earths</h2>Amid trade tensions over critical minerals, China imposed export controls in April 2025 on several medium and heavy rare earths. This action sharply reduced overseas shipments, The shortages of rare earths mentioned above persisted despite a partial trade truce later in 2025.The Reuters report, citing Chinese customs data, said that US imports of yttrium products plunged to just 17 tonnes in the eight months after curbs were imposed, from 333 tonnes in the eight months before controls.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-and-president-lula-sign-rare-earths-deal-set-aim-for-over-20-billion-bilateral-trade-1771674319506">Modi and Lula sign rare earths deal, set target of over $20 billion bilateral trade in 5 years</a><h2>From jet engines to chips: What is affected by Chinese dominance of rare earths?</h2>China’s control over the rare earth supply chain is creating a strategic vulnerability for US aerospace, affecting avionics, engines and defence systems. However, there are no reports of jet engine or chip manufacturing being halted outright because of the rare-earth curbs by China.A US official cited in the Reuters report said that some manufacturers face outright “shortages” of certain rare earths from China.Semiconductor experts warned that low scandium supplies specifically risk next-generation chip production.<h2>China’s leverage in the rare earths sector is growing</h2>China’s responses to US tariffs and tech restrictions have included expanding export controls on rare earths. These curbs particularly targeted defence and chip uses of rare earth materials. China added elements such as holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium to the restricted list.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-about-china-why-india-joining-pax-silica-alliance-on-rare-earths-supply-chain-chip-making-and-ai-is-a-big-deal-1771580224467">https://www.wionews.com/world/not-about-china-why-india-joining-pax-silica-alliance-on-rare-earths-supply-chain-chip-making-and-ai-is-a-big-deal-1771580224467</a><h2>China’s overwhelming dominance in rare earths supply chain&nbsp;</h2>China accounts for a large share of global rare earth mining output. Estimates vary, but it is widely reported to be above 60 to 70 per cent of total production, depending on the minerals.When it comes to processing and refining rare earths, China controls an even larger share of global capacity. Estimates suggest China dominates around 90 per cent of global separation, refining and processing capacity, making it difficult to bypass China for the high-purity materials needed downstream. For heavy rare earths such as yttrium and scandium, Chinese dominance in processing is often reported at extremely high levels.China also produces a very large percentage of the global supply of permanent magnets, which are the key end products that use rare earths. These magnets are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace, defence and electronics.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-deal-china-to-suspend-rare-earth-curbs-probes-on-us-chip-firms-1762069999007/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-deal-china-to-suspend-rare-earth-curbs-probes-on-us-chip-firms-1762069999007/embed</a><h2>US efforts to diversify are not yet succeeding</h2>China’s export restrictions have disrupted US industries that depend on rare earths. The US has been trying to diversify supply chains with investments in domestic projects and partnerships, including efforts involving MP Materials and Department of Defence initiatives. However, such efforts take time, and processing facilities can take years to become operational. Dependency on China for heavy rare earths may well persist into the 2030s.

China’s export curbs on rare earths like yttrium and scandium are causing supply shortages in US aerospace and chipmaker industries. Reliance on Chinese mining and processing of rare earths is emerging as a liability for these industries. And a solution is far away

China’s near-absolute dominance of some of the rarest rare-earth elements is choking US defence and semiconductor industries that depend on these critical minerals. According to a recent Reuters report, suppliers to US aerospace and chip-making firms are facing worsening shortages of certain rare earth elements, particularly niche ones like yttrium and scandium known. At least two suppliers have turned away some clients due to these constraints, the report said, citing sources. Why are rare earths like yttrium and scandium important? Yttrium and scandium are generally classified as heavy rare earths, a category that also includes elements such as dysprosium and terbium. Yttrium and scandium are critical for high-performance applications in aerospace and chips. They play vital roles in defence technology and aerospace components, and are used in coatings and other specialised parts. In the semiconductor industry, these rare earths are used in next-generation 5G chips and other advanced components. China’s export controls on rare earths Amid trade tensions over critical minerals, China imposed export controls in April 2025 on several medium and heavy rare earths. This action sharply reduced overseas shipments, The shortages of rare earths mentioned above persisted despite a partial trade truce later in 2025. The Reuters report, citing Chinese customs data, said that US imports of yttrium products plunged to just 17 tonnes in the eight months after curbs were imposed, from 333 tonnes in the eight months before controls. Also read: Modi and Lula sign rare earths deal, set target of over $20 billion bilateral trade in 5 years From jet engines to chips: What is affected by Chinese dominance of rare earths? China’s control over the rare earth supply chain is creating a strategic vulnerability for US aerospace, affecting avionics, engines and defence systems. However, there are no reports of jet engine or chip manufacturing being halted outright because of the rare-earth curbs by China. A US official cited in the Reuters report said that some manufacturers face outright “shortages” of certain rare earths from China. Semiconductor experts warned that low scandium supplies specifically risk next-generation chip production. China’s leverage in the rare earths sector is growing China’s responses to US tariffs and tech restrictions have included expanding export controls on rare earths. These curbs particularly targeted defence and chip uses of rare earth materials. China added elements such as holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium to the restricted list. Also read: https://www.wionews.com/world/not-about-china-why-india-joining-pax-silica-alliance-on-rare-earths-supply-chain-chip-making-and-ai-is-a-big-deal-1771580224467 China’s overwhelming dominance in rare earths supply chain China accounts for a large share of global rare earth mining output. Estimates vary, but it is widely reported to be above 60 to 70 per cent of total production, depending on the minerals. When it comes to processing and refining rare earths, China controls an even larger share of global capacity. Estimates suggest China dominates around 90 per cent of global separation, refining and processing capacity, making it difficult to bypass China for the high-purity materials needed downstream. For heavy rare earths such as yttrium and scandium, Chinese dominance in processing is often reported at extremely high levels. China also produces a very large percentage of the global supply of permanent magnets, which are the key end products that use rare earths. These magnets are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace, defence and electronics. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-deal-china-to-suspend-rare-earth-curbs-probes-on-us-chip-firms-1762069999007/embed US efforts to diversify are not yet succeeding China’s export restrictions have disrupted US industries that depend on rare earths. The US has been trying to diversify supply chains with investments in domestic projects and partnerships, including efforts involving MP Materials and Department of Defence initiatives. However, such efforts take time, and processing facilities can take years to become operational. Dependency on China for heavy rare earths may well persist into the 2030s.

China’s export curbs on rare earths like yttrium and scandium are causing supply shortages in US aerospace and chipmaker industries. Reliance on Chinese mining and processing of rare earths is emerging as a liability for these industries. And a solution is far away

Chinese chokehold on rarest of rare earths is squeezing US defence and semiconductor industries. Here is how

India on Friday (Feb 20) joined the Pax Silica alliance on rare earth elements, ending speculation about whether New Delhi had been snubbed from the pact led by the US. Oddly, the US tried to downplay analysts’ assessments that this alliance is aimed at countering China’s continuing dominance in the rare earth supply chain that affects chip manufacturing and AI computing. Here is what you should know about Pax Silica and why India joining it is significant.<h2>What is Pax Silica?</h2>Pax Silica is a US-led strategic coalition to build resilient supply chains for both critical minerals and artificial intelligence computing. The framework envisions a coalition-led economic order for the AI age, with deep economic and technological cooperation among members.Signatories will cooperate on the making and flow of raw earth materials, semiconductors, and AI infrastructure. Experts say this is part of the broader US strategy to counter China’s dominance in high-tech sectors, particularly AI computing.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-india-joining-pax-silica-is-a-big-deal-how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-1771574386678/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-india-joining-pax-silica-is-a-big-deal-how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-1771574386678/embed</a><h2>India signs on Pax Silica</h2>India joined the Pax Silica alliance at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam. Indian Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg attended the signing ceremony.Vaishnaw said that becoming part of Pax Silica will greatly benefit India’s electronics and semiconductor industry. Gor said the coalition “will define the 21st-century economic and technological order”.“Pax Silica is a declaration that the future belongs to those who build, and when free people join forces,” said Helberg.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-pax-silica-initiative-the-us-led-grouping-that-excluded-india-china-us-modi-trump-jinping-trade-war-tariffs-semiconductor-us-hegemony-1765541403919">What is Pax Silica Initiative? The US-led grouping that excluded India</a>&nbsp;<h2>Key pillars of the Pax Silica declaration</h2>The Pax Silica declaration vows to build secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chains for critical minerals and AI. It aims to establish a durable economic order to drive AI-powered prosperity across partner nations. It recognises that reliable supply chains are indispensable to mutual economic security and that AI is a transformative force for long-term prosperity. It stresses that trustworthy systems are essential to mutual security.The declaration seeks to promote co-investment, safeguard sensitive technologies from foreign control, and build trusted digital infrastructure.<h2>Why India joining Pax Silica is significant</h2>India’s participation is being seen as a major win for the US in the race to shape access to advanced semiconductors and AI infrastructure supply chains.India is a BRICS member, of which China is also part. New Delhi’s alignment with a US-led technology bloc is therefore geopolitically notable.India is pushing to become a chip-making hub. India’s first semiconductor plant is set to begin commercial production soon. Currently, 2nm chips are being designed in India.The US State Department recently announced a new concierge service to help Pax Silica signatories acquire US-made AI semiconductors more efficiently. This aligns with India’s push to become a global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing hub.<h2>The original idea of Pax Silica had excluded India</h2>The first Pax Silica summit was held on 12 December 2024 at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.Besides the US, the original founding members of the alliance are Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. India is the 10th member.India was left out of the initial Pax Silica alliance, raising questions in diplomatic circles. The opposition Congress party at the time had criticised New Delhi’s exclusion as a setback for India’s strategic and technological ambitions.<h2>Not about China?</h2>Despite the optics, Helberg insisted that Pax Silica is “really not about China; it is about America”.“We want to secure our supply chains,” he said.However, the context is clear. China currently controls approximately 90 per cent of global rare earth refining — a key vulnerability the coalition seeks to address.&nbsp;Beijing also controls critical segments of the semiconductor and AI supply chains. Pax Silica aims to reduce reliance on Chinese sources for these strategic materials and technologies.&nbsp; The stress is on secure, resilient supply chains, co-investment in semiconductor manufacturing, and protection of sensitive technologies. This is clearly a signal that the intent is to counter China’s influence in high-tech sectors. India’s entry, in particular, strengthens the coalition’s geopolitical leverage given its strategic location and growing domestic semiconductor industry.This further underscores the implicit aim to limit China’s technological and economic reach.

India finally joins US-led Pax Silica alliance on rare earths and AI supply chains. This will boost semiconductor supply chains. It's a strategic move to counter China’s dominance in high-tech sectors.

India on Friday (Feb 20) joined the Pax Silica alliance on rare earth elements, ending speculation about whether New Delhi had been snubbed from the pact led by the US. Oddly, the US tried to downplay analysts’ assessments that this alliance is aimed at countering China’s continuing dominance in the rare earth supply chain that affects chip manufacturing and AI computing. Here is what you should know about Pax Silica and why India joining it is significant. What is Pax Silica? Pax Silica is a US-led strategic coalition to build resilient supply chains for both critical minerals and artificial intelligence computing. The framework envisions a coalition-led economic order for the AI age, with deep economic and technological cooperation among members. Signatories will cooperate on the making and flow of raw earth materials, semiconductors, and AI infrastructure. Experts say this is part of the broader US strategy to counter China’s dominance in high-tech sectors, particularly AI computing. https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-india-joining-pax-silica-is-a-big-deal-how-india-is-positioning-itself-in-an-ai-world-1771574386678/embed India signs on Pax Silica India joined the Pax Silica alliance at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam. Indian Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg attended the signing ceremony. Vaishnaw said that becoming part of Pax Silica will greatly benefit India’s electronics and semiconductor industry. Gor said the coalition “will define the 21st-century economic and technological order”. “Pax Silica is a declaration that the future belongs to those who build, and when free people join forces,” said Helberg. Also read: What is Pax Silica Initiative? The US-led grouping that excluded India Key pillars of the Pax Silica declaration The Pax Silica declaration vows to build secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chains for critical minerals and AI. It aims to establish a durable economic order to drive AI-powered prosperity across partner nations. It recognises that reliable supply chains are indispensable to mutual economic security and that AI is a transformative force for long-term prosperity. It stresses that trustworthy systems are essential to mutual security. The declaration seeks to promote co-investment, safeguard sensitive technologies from foreign control, and build trusted digital infrastructure. Why India joining Pax Silica is significant India’s participation is being seen as a major win for the US in the race to shape access to advanced semiconductors and AI infrastructure supply chains. India is a BRICS member, of which China is also part. New Delhi’s alignment with a US-led technology bloc is therefore geopolitically notable. India is pushing to become a chip-making hub. India’s first semiconductor plant is set to begin commercial production soon. Currently, 2nm chips are being designed in India. The US State Department recently announced a new concierge service to help Pax Silica signatories acquire US-made AI semiconductors more efficiently. This aligns with India’s push to become a global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing hub. The original idea of Pax Silica had excluded India The first Pax Silica summit was held on 12 December 2024 at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Besides the US, the original founding members of the alliance are Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. India is the 10th member. India was left out of the initial Pax Silica alliance, raising questions in diplomatic circles. The opposition Congress party at the time had criticised New Delhi’s exclusion as a setback for India’s strategic and technological ambitions. Not about China? Despite the optics, Helberg insisted that Pax Silica is “really not about China; it is about America”. “We want to secure our supply chains,” he said. However, the context is clear. China currently controls approximately 90 per cent of global rare earth refining — a key vulnerability the coalition seeks to address. Beijing also controls critical segments of the semiconductor and AI supply chains. Pax Silica aims to reduce reliance on Chinese sources for these strategic materials and technologies. The stress is on secure, resilient supply chains, co-investment in semiconductor manufacturing, and protection of sensitive technologies. This is clearly a signal that the intent is to counter China’s influence in high-tech sectors. India’s entry, in particular, strengthens the coalition’s geopolitical leverage given its strategic location and growing domestic semiconductor industry. This further underscores the implicit aim to limit China’s technological and economic reach.

India finally joins US-led Pax Silica alliance on rare earths and AI supply chains. This will boost semiconductor supply chains. It's a strategic move to counter China’s dominance in high-tech sectors.

Not about China? Why India joining Pax Silica alliance on rare earths supply chain, chip making and AI is a big deal

Critical minerals are essential to clean energy, electronics, defence, and heavy industries. Ever since Trump came into power, the discussion related to it has increased after he made access to these minerals a priority. Let's try to understand why these minerals are currently in demand.

What are 'critical minerals' & why every country is racing for them

As China restricted the export of rare earth minerals, India, with a sizeable amount of these strategically important materials, can emerge as a viable alternative to Beijing, said a research report. These rare elements are vital for the production&nbsp;and design of electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defence systems. Due to their indispensability&nbsp;for modern equipment, experts dub them the "new oil" of the 21st century.&nbsp;"Invisible to most, rare earths are quietly powering the shift toward cleaner energy, stronger economies, and a smarter, more sustainable world," noted the report by Kotak Mahindra.&nbsp;India accounts for 6 per cent reserves of rare earth. With China -- the largest processor of rare earth elements in the world -- limiting the supply of the materials, India has emerged as a credible alternative source. New Delhi, however, currently contributes less than one percent of the world's REE production.&nbsp;However, India's vast land mass and coastal states offer a promise for the future, the report added.&nbsp;Under the National Critical Mineral Mission (2025), India has prioritized the exploration, mining, and processing of these critical resources. The recent removal of IREL (India) Limited from the US export control list marks a pivotal step, paving the way for enhanced global collaboration.&nbsp;It said that IREL's Visakhapatnam facility will produce samarium-cobalt magnets domestically. It has also launched the KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) initiative and participated in the US-led Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).&nbsp;China accounts for 70 per cent of the mining of rare earth materials and 90 per cent of the processing. The report predicts that China's shares will fall to 51 per cent and 78 per cent by 2030, which would create a requirement for the creation of a more stable supply line.<h2>What's India doing?</h2>New Delhi has reformed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR). It has also introduced Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and is encouraging private investment, R&amp;D, and sustainable processing.&nbsp;India's progress in the field will secure domestic supply and make it a global leader in the sector.&nbsp;"Demand for rare earth elements (REEs) will surge as the world shifts to clean energy and digital technologies, with usage projected to rise 300-700 per cent by 2040," noted the report.

As China restricted the export of rare earth minerals, India, with a sizeable amount of these strategically important materials, can emerge as a viable alternative to Beijing, said a research report. 

As China restricted the export of rare earth minerals, India, with a sizeable amount of these strategically important materials, can emerge as a viable alternative to Beijing, said a research report. These rare elements are vital for the production and design of electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defence systems. Due to their indispensability for modern equipment, experts dub them the "new oil" of the 21st century. "Invisible to most, rare earths are quietly powering the shift toward cleaner energy, stronger economies, and a smarter, more sustainable world," noted the report by Kotak Mahindra. India accounts for 6 per cent reserves of rare earth. With China -- the largest processor of rare earth elements in the world -- limiting the supply of the materials, India has emerged as a credible alternative source. New Delhi, however, currently contributes less than one percent of the world's REE production. However, India's vast land mass and coastal states offer a promise for the future, the report added. Under the National Critical Mineral Mission (2025), India has prioritized the exploration, mining, and processing of these critical resources. The recent removal of IREL (India) Limited from the US export control list marks a pivotal step, paving the way for enhanced global collaboration. It said that IREL's Visakhapatnam facility will produce samarium-cobalt magnets domestically. It has also launched the KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) initiative and participated in the US-led Mineral Security Partnership (MSP). China accounts for 70 per cent of the mining of rare earth materials and 90 per cent of the processing. The report predicts that China's shares will fall to 51 per cent and 78 per cent by 2030, which would create a requirement for the creation of a more stable supply line. What's India doing? New Delhi has reformed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR). It has also introduced Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and is encouraging private investment, R&D, and sustainable processing. India's progress in the field will secure domestic supply and make it a global leader in the sector. "Demand for rare earth elements (REEs) will surge as the world shifts to clean energy and digital technologies, with usage projected to rise 300-700 per cent by 2040," noted the report.

China's rare earth export control: With China -- the largest processor of rare earth elements in the world -- limiting the supply of the materials, India has emerged as a credible alternative source.&nbsp;

Can China's rare earth export control boost India's chances as alternative?

As military conflicts raged in the past five years, a rather 'benign tumour' has been growing in the world, which could become the potential flashpoint of the next wars: the race for critical minerals. Rare earths are the next oil, a potential cause for small to big wars. In essence, countries will likely wage wars over sand. Here is the dystopian view of the future of the 'rare earths wars', which is probably already on.<h2>What are rare earths and why could they become the cause of wars?</h2>The world today runs on rare earths: 17 obscure 'critical elements' powering everything from military systems and clean energy tech to your digital gadgets. From F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and AI semiconductors, these minerals are inside everything. Demand has exploded, but supply is dangerously concentrated in a few countries. China today controls more than 70 per cent of global mining of these elements, and over 90 per cent of their processing. It’s a geopolitical weapon in the hands of China, and its rivals, led by the US, will find any reason to change that status quo.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lifts-export-ban-on-fertilisers-rare-earths-tunnel-machines-as-wang-yi-visits-india-report-1755581848134">China lifts export ban on fertilisers, rare earths, tunnel machines as Wang Yi visits India:&nbsp;Report</a><h2>How China’s rare earths export controls triggered global panic and Trump anger</h2>Last week, China launched sweeping export controls on key rare earths and processing technologies, just ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned summit with US President Donald Trump, which the latter cancelled in anger. The Chinese curbs applied to holmium, europium, and ytterbium. It also blocked exports of critical magnet materials. Trump then threatened to slap 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and framed the export bans as a national security threat to the US. In the American view, the curbs were tantamount to economic warfare.In an analysis, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned these curbs could cripple American defence production within months, because without Chinese rare earths, America’s F-35 jets, submarine systems, and precision-guided munitions cannot be built.Decades of offshoring and underinvestment in rare earths have left the US and the West utterly dependent on China, with no viable alternatives in the short term.This is how critical minerals have become strategic leverage, just like oil once was—leading to the West’s excuses for military interventions in producer countries, mostly in the Middle East.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-7-countries-with-the-largest-rare-earth-reserves-see-where-india-stands-1759307993918">Top 7 countries with the largest rare earth reserves: See where India stands</a><h2>Rare earths are already a key factor in conflict zones, from Africa to Asia to Europe</h2>The scramble for rare earths is already playing out as a key aspect in several conflict and post-conflict zones. Trump’s planned re-entry into Afghanistan is being seen by many analysts in the context of the vast untapped reserves that include rare earths, lithium, and copper—at an estimated total value of up to $3 trillion by some accounts.Even before the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20 years of occupation, China had moved in aggressively, having signed multi-billion-dollar mining deals. Before and during the new Taliban regime, Chinese mining workers have been attacked by Taliban-linked groups and Islamic State Khorasan. The region is slowly becoming a battleground not just of jihadist ideology and terror, but of extraction rights. With Trump aides already discussing “securing American interests” in Afghanistan, the Great Game has shifted underground, quite literally.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-china-with-increased-tariffs-and-no-meeting-with-xi-jinping-over-rare-earth-monopoly-policy-market-down-1760120771356">Trump threatens 'massive tariffs' on China, says 'now there seems to be no reason' to meet Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;As the Ukraine-Russia war continues, mineral geopolitics is on full display. Invading Ukraine gave Russia control of roughly half of its rich rare earth deposits, and much of its graphite, lithium, and uranium. These resources are central to European energy independence and Western re-industrialisation plans.Under Trump, the US struck a deal with Ukraine for preferential access to its critical minerals, tying aid to resource rights—a kind of quid pro quo.Thus, the war has now become, at least partially, about controlling Europe’s last great mineral trove. Russia has weaponised these assets, using export controls and territorial dominance to manipulate markets and supply chains.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed</a>Africa, one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, is quietly becoming the next arena—even amid civil conflicts. Burundi, Tanzania, and the DRC hold enormous reserves of neodymium, cobalt, and dysprosium, but are also ravaged by decades of internecine wars involving armed groups, armies and governments. In spite of these conflicts, China has managed to dominate mining operations in the African continent for years.Amid the unrest and corruption, Western nations are planning to re-enter Africa strategically in several mineral-rich states, reminiscent of the scramble for Africa during colonialism.Rare earth extraction has been linked to insurgencies, land seizures, and violence in Africa.<h2>A resource opportunity to resource war: How demand-supply gaps could evolve into real conflicts</h2>Rising demand, monopolised supply, and unstable extraction zones—that’s the perfect powder keg that could ignite future wars in places with rare earth resources.Unlike oil, these minerals cannot be easily substituted, stored, or rerouted. Scarcity, strategic value, and long development cycles make them uniquely explosive and vulnerable to conflicts.Rare earths are the new fault lines of power. And the quiet race beneath the surface is already erupting into open confrontations. Whether in Ukraine, the mountains of Afghanistan, the jungles of the DRC, or the Gobi Desert, the next great conflict may be decided not by ideology or territory, but by who owns the minerals beneath our feet. And those who control the flow will control the future. We are not headed toward a rare earths war; we are already in it.

The global race for rare earth minerals is igniting geopolitical tensions that could lead to real wars. The tussles and tariff wars between China and the US is one aspect. The West is vying for control of critical elements, and could cause a new form of resource warfare.


As military conflicts raged in the past five years, a rather 'benign tumour' has been growing in the world, which could become the potential flashpoint of the next wars: the race for critical minerals. Rare earths are the next oil, a potential cause for small to big wars. In essence, countries will likely wage wars over sand. Here is the dystopian view of the future of the 'rare earths wars', which is probably already on. What are rare earths and why could they become the cause of wars? The world today runs on rare earths: 17 obscure 'critical elements' powering everything from military systems and clean energy tech to your digital gadgets. From F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and AI semiconductors, these minerals are inside everything. Demand has exploded, but supply is dangerously concentrated in a few countries. China today controls more than 70 per cent of global mining of these elements, and over 90 per cent of their processing. It’s a geopolitical weapon in the hands of China, and its rivals, led by the US, will find any reason to change that status quo. Also read: China lifts export ban on fertilisers, rare earths, tunnel machines as Wang Yi visits India: Report How China’s rare earths export controls triggered global panic and Trump anger Last week, China launched sweeping export controls on key rare earths and processing technologies, just ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned summit with US President Donald Trump, which the latter cancelled in anger. The Chinese curbs applied to holmium, europium, and ytterbium. It also blocked exports of critical magnet materials. Trump then threatened to slap 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and framed the export bans as a national security threat to the US. In the American view, the curbs were tantamount to economic warfare. In an analysis, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned these curbs could cripple American defence production within months, because without Chinese rare earths, America’s F-35 jets, submarine systems, and precision-guided munitions cannot be built. Decades of offshoring and underinvestment in rare earths have left the US and the West utterly dependent on China, with no viable alternatives in the short term. This is how critical minerals have become strategic leverage, just like oil once was—leading to the West’s excuses for military interventions in producer countries, mostly in the Middle East. Also read: Top 7 countries with the largest rare earth reserves: See where India stands Rare earths are already a key factor in conflict zones, from Africa to Asia to Europe The scramble for rare earths is already playing out as a key aspect in several conflict and post-conflict zones. Trump’s planned re-entry into Afghanistan is being seen by many analysts in the context of the vast untapped reserves that include rare earths, lithium, and copper—at an estimated total value of up to $3 trillion by some accounts. Even before the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20 years of occupation, China had moved in aggressively, having signed multi-billion-dollar mining deals. Before and during the new Taliban regime, Chinese mining workers have been attacked by Taliban-linked groups and Islamic State Khorasan. The region is slowly becoming a battleground not just of jihadist ideology and terror, but of extraction rights. With Trump aides already discussing “securing American interests” in Afghanistan, the Great Game has shifted underground, quite literally. Also read: Trump threatens 'massive tariffs' on China, says 'now there seems to be no reason' to meet Xi Jinping As the Ukraine-Russia war continues, mineral geopolitics is on full display. Invading Ukraine gave Russia control of roughly half of its rich rare earth deposits, and much of its graphite, lithium, and uranium. These resources are central to European energy independence and Western re-industrialisation plans. Under Trump, the US struck a deal with Ukraine for preferential access to its critical minerals, tying aid to resource rights—a kind of quid pro quo. Thus, the war has now become, at least partially, about controlling Europe’s last great mineral trove. Russia has weaponised these assets, using export controls and territorial dominance to manipulate markets and supply chains. https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed Africa, one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, is quietly becoming the next arena—even amid civil conflicts. Burundi, Tanzania, and the DRC hold enormous reserves of neodymium, cobalt, and dysprosium, but are also ravaged by decades of internecine wars involving armed groups, armies and governments. In spite of these conflicts, China has managed to dominate mining operations in the African continent for years. Amid the unrest and corruption, Western nations are planning to re-enter Africa strategically in several mineral-rich states, reminiscent of the scramble for Africa during colonialism. Rare earth extraction has been linked to insurgencies, land seizures, and violence in Africa. A resource opportunity to resource war: How demand-supply gaps could evolve into real conflicts Rising demand, monopolised supply, and unstable extraction zones—that’s the perfect powder keg that could ignite future wars in places with rare earth resources. Unlike oil, these minerals cannot be easily substituted, stored, or rerouted. Scarcity, strategic value, and long development cycles make them uniquely explosive and vulnerable to conflicts. Rare earths are the new fault lines of power. And the quiet race beneath the surface is already erupting into open confrontations. Whether in Ukraine, the mountains of Afghanistan, the jungles of the DRC, or the Gobi Desert, the next great conflict may be decided not by ideology or territory, but by who owns the minerals beneath our feet. And those who control the flow will control the future. We are not headed toward a rare earths war; we are already in it.

The global race for rare earth minerals is igniting geopolitical tensions that could lead to real wars. The tussles and tariff wars between China and the US is one aspect. The West is vying for control of critical elements, and could cause a new form of resource warfare. &nbsp;

Will rare earths cause the next war (or what is common in China vs US, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Africa)?

Lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements power batteries, electric vehicles, and green tech. A handful of countries dominate global supply and refining shaping who leads the energy transition and future technologies.

5 countries with the most critical minerals for the future of energy and technology

In a fresh attack on the Union government, the Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has raised questions on the proposed offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing its negative impact on marine life and fishermen&rsquo;s livelihoods, and demanded cancellation of tenders inviting private players. He accused the government of not consulting all stakeholders and demanded that rigorous scientific studies be conducted first to assess the environmental and socio-economic impact of offshore mining.
Gandhi raised his objections in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25, recalling the protests by coastal communities against the manner in which tenders for offshore mining have been floated without a proper assessment of its environmental impact.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8x6zja0-o3v0g79n-kfewisvt">
Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Narendra Modi The letter reads, "I strongly condemn the central government's decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman &amp; Nicobar. Our coastal communities have been protesting&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/XwEGdV3WM2">pic.twitter.com/XwEGdV3WM2</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1905935560642019537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
&ldquo;I write to you to strongly condemn the central government&rsquo;s decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman &amp; Nicobar,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;Millions of fisherfolk have expressed grave concerns about its impact on their livelihood and way of life... offshore mining will impact the livelihoods of millions and irreversibly damage our diverse marine life. The government must immediately revoke this decision,&rdquo; he said.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-89-acquitted-of-quadruple-murders-after-56-years-gets-15mn-damages-for-agony-8889006" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Man, 89, acquitted of quadruple murders after 56 years, gets $1.5mn damages for agony</a>
Gandhi said studies point to adverse impacts of offshore mining, including threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs, and the depletion of fish stocks.&nbsp; He said protests erupted when the Ministry of Mines invited tenders for the grant of licenses for mining at 13 offshore blocks. Among the 13 blocks are three blocks for mining construction sand off the coast of Kollam, a vital fish breeding habitat, and three blocks for polymetallic nodules off the coast of the Great Nicobar Islands&mdash;a marine biodiversity hotspot, he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Tenders were floated without any consultation with the stakeholders or an assessment of the long-term socio-economic impact on coastal communities. In fact, the ongoing survey of the Marine Monitoring Lab of the University of Kerala&rsquo;s Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries found that offshore mining could have a devastating impact on fish breeding, especially in Kollam,&rdquo; Rahul said, adding that over 11 lakh people rely on fishing in Kerala.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prasad-given-at-religious-places-exempt-from-gst-says-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-8889590">&lsquo;Prasad&rsquo; served at religious places exempt from GST, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman</a> On Great Nicobar, he said it is globally recognised for its diverse ecosystems and is home to several endemic species of wildlife. &ldquo;Any damage due to offshore mining could potentially do irreparable damage. At a juncture where erosion of our coastal ecosystems has worsened the impact of natural calamities like cyclones, it is concerning that the government is wilfully greenlighting activities without a scientific assessment,&rdquo; he said. On March 17, Kerala MP KC Venugopal said in the Lok Sabha that offshore construction and mining will adversely impact the livelihood of the fishing community.&nbsp;
<h2>Is offshore mining is beneficial to economy?</h2>
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said in his response in Lok Sabha on March 18 that the government&rsquo;s decision is based on Geological Survey of India&rsquo;s (GSI) findings that several tonnes of construction-grade sand and gravel could be harvested from the offshore regions.
The GSI has identified polymetallic nodules containing iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper, along with rare earth elements beneath the sea. These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing and the green energy transition.&nbsp;
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmars-military-dropped-bombs-3-hours-after-quake-devastation-un-slams-junta-8907065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myanmar&rsquo;s military dropped bombs 3 hours after quake devastation; UN slams junta</a>
The demand for critical minerals is going to increase manifolds and India is making all efforts to become a leading player in global critical minerals market. India is also going to launch National Critical Mineral Mission to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals in India.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Kirti Vardhan Singh also refuted the charges in his reply in Lok Sabha and said that a consultative process with stakeholders, including state governments, had taken place at various stages, including during the amendment of the Offshore Areas Act. &ldquo;The offshore mining blocks have been carefully selected, ensuring that these protected areas and fishing areas remain unaffected,&rdquo; Singh said.

India News: The GSI has identified polymetallic nodules containing iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper, along with rare earth elements beneath the sea. These minerals are critical for high-tech manufacturing and the green energy transition.

In a fresh attack on the Union government, the Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has raised questions on the proposed offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing its negative impact on marine life and fishermen’s livelihoods, and demanded cancellation of tenders inviting private players. He accused the government of not consulting all stakeholders and demanded that rigorous scientific studies be conducted first to assess the environmental and socio-economic impact of offshore mining. Gandhi raised his objections in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25, recalling the protests by coastal communities against the manner in which tenders for offshore mining have been floated without a proper assessment of its environmental impact. Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Narendra Modi The letter reads, "I strongly condemn the central government's decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar. Our coastal communities have been protesting… pic.twitter.com/XwEGdV3WM2 — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2025 “I write to you to strongly condemn the central government’s decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar,” he wrote. “Millions of fisherfolk have expressed grave concerns about its impact on their livelihood and way of life... offshore mining will impact the livelihoods of millions and irreversibly damage our diverse marine life. The government must immediately revoke this decision,” he said. Also Read | Man, 89, acquitted of quadruple murders after 56 years, gets $1.5mn damages for agony Gandhi said studies point to adverse impacts of offshore mining, including threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs, and the depletion of fish stocks. He said protests erupted when the Ministry of Mines invited tenders for the grant of licenses for mining at 13 offshore blocks. Among the 13 blocks are three blocks for mining construction sand off the coast of Kollam, a vital fish breeding habitat, and three blocks for polymetallic nodules off the coast of the Great Nicobar Islands—a marine biodiversity hotspot, he said. “Tenders were floated without any consultation with the stakeholders or an assessment of the long-term socio-economic impact on coastal communities. In fact, the ongoing survey of the Marine Monitoring Lab of the University of Kerala’s Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries found that offshore mining could have a devastating impact on fish breeding, especially in Kollam,” Rahul said, adding that over 11 lakh people rely on fishing in Kerala. Also Read | ‘Prasad’ served at religious places exempt from GST, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman On Great Nicobar, he said it is globally recognised for its diverse ecosystems and is home to several endemic species of wildlife. “Any damage due to offshore mining could potentially do irreparable damage. At a juncture where erosion of our coastal ecosystems has worsened the impact of natural calamities like cyclones, it is concerning that the government is wilfully greenlighting activities without a scientific assessment,” he said. On March 17, Kerala MP KC Venugopal said in the Lok Sabha that offshore construction and mining will adversely impact the livelihood of the fishing community. Is offshore mining is beneficial to economy? Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said in his response in Lok Sabha on March 18 that the government’s decision is based on Geological Survey of India’s (GSI) findings that several tonnes of construction-grade sand and gravel could be harvested from the offshore regions. The GSI has identified polymetallic nodules containing iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper, along with rare earth elements beneath the sea. These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing and the green energy transition. Also read | Myanmar’s military dropped bombs 3 hours after quake devastation; UN slams junta The demand for critical minerals is going to increase manifolds and India is making all efforts to become a leading player in global critical minerals market. India is also going to launch National Critical Mineral Mission to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals in India. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Kirti Vardhan Singh also refuted the charges in his reply in Lok Sabha and said that a consultative process with stakeholders, including state governments, had taken place at various stages, including during the amendment of the Offshore Areas Act. “The offshore mining blocks have been carefully selected, ensuring that these protected areas and fishing areas remain unaffected,” Singh said.

Why is Rahul Gandhi opposing offshore mining? Economic benefits vs politics

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> on Monday (Feb 3) stated that he wants Ukraine to supply rare earth minerals to the United States as a form of compensation for the financial aid provided in support of its war against Russia.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed that Ukraine was open to the idea and emphasised his desire for "equalisation" in return for Washington's near "$300 billion" in assistance.
"We're telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths," Trump said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-deletes-irs-direct-file-programme-team-is-free-tax-filing-at-risk-in-us-8689371" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Elon Musk &lsquo;deletes&rsquo; IRS Direct File programme team: Is free tax filing at risk in US?</a>
"We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," he added.
Trump&rsquo;s proposal comes amid a freeze on foreign development aid by his administration, which has forced many humanitarian organisations in Ukraine to suspend their operations. Despite this, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that US military aid provided under the Biden administration remains unaffected by the current halt in foreign assistance. 
Trump has consistently voiced opposition to the continued supply of billions of dollars in military equipment and weaponry to Ukraine, arguing that the financial burden on the US is too great.
It remains unclear whether Trump&rsquo;s use of the term "rare earths" was about all critical minerals or specifically rare earth elements.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/illegal-migration-is-not-worth-the-risk-us-embassy-sounds-alarm-amid-reports-of-deporting-indians-8689708" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Illegal migration is not worth the risk,' US embassy sounds alarm amid reports of deporting Indians</a>
<h2>What are rare earths?</h2>
Rare earths refer to a group of 17 metals essential in manufacturing magnets used in electric vehicles, mobile phones, and various electronic devices. There are no known substitutes for these elements.
According to the US Geological Survey, 50 minerals are classified as critical for the American economy and national defence. This includes certain rare earth elements, as well as nickel and lithium.
Ukraine possesses significant deposits of uranium, lithium, and titanium, though these are not among the world&rsquo;s top five largest reserves by volume. The United States also has its own untapped reserves of these and other essential minerals.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doge-digging-its-own-grave-internet-slams-billionaire-elon-musk-over-doges-long-work-hours-remark-8689072" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Also read: &lsquo;DOGE digging its own grave&rsquo;: Internet slams billionaire Elon Musk over DOGE&rsquo;s long work hours remark</a>
<h2>Why is Trump interested in Ukraine&rsquo;s rare earth minerals?</h2>
The US currently operates only one rare earth mine and has minimal processing capability. While several companies are working on developing new projects, China remains the dominant global producer of rare earth elements and other crucial minerals.
Trump&rsquo;s approach to exchanging aid for minerals aligns with his broader foreign policy strategy, which has prioritised economic leverage in international dealings. He has used similar tactics to pressure allies, such as Colombia and Mexico, into negotiating agreements on various issues.
His interest in Ukraine&rsquo;s rare earth resources is not entirely new, as Zelensky himself had previously stressed Ukraine&rsquo;s wealth of critical minerals as a means to attract the Trump administration&rsquo;s support. In recent months, the Ukrainian president has argued that defending Ukraine is also in America's economic interest, given the potential benefits of Ukraine&rsquo;s mineral resources for US industries.
Following Trump's comments, a senior Ukrainian official told The New York Times on Monday night that Ukraine is open to working with the US on rare earth mineral agreements, provided that Washington offers enough security guarantees to prevent these resources from falling into Russian hands.
Last year, Ukraine had planned to sign an agreement with the Biden administration to collaborate on extracting and processing minerals. However, the Ukrainian authorities delayed the signing, with officials on both sides indicating that Kyiv was waiting for Trump to take office before finalising a deal.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Trump has consistently voiced opposition to the continued supply of billions of dollars in military equipment and weaponry to Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Feb 3) stated that he wants Ukraine to supply rare earth minerals to the United States as a form of compensation for the financial aid provided in support of its war against Russia. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed that Ukraine was open to the idea and emphasised his desire for "equalisation" in return for Washington's near "$300 billion" in assistance. "We're telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths," Trump said. Also read: Elon Musk ‘deletes’ IRS Direct File programme team: Is free tax filing at risk in US? "We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," he added. Trump’s proposal comes amid a freeze on foreign development aid by his administration, which has forced many humanitarian organisations in Ukraine to suspend their operations. Despite this, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that US military aid provided under the Biden administration remains unaffected by the current halt in foreign assistance. Trump has consistently voiced opposition to the continued supply of billions of dollars in military equipment and weaponry to Ukraine, arguing that the financial burden on the US is too great. It remains unclear whether Trump’s use of the term "rare earths" was about all critical minerals or specifically rare earth elements. Also read: 'Illegal migration is not worth the risk,' US embassy sounds alarm amid reports of deporting Indians What are rare earths? Rare earths refer to a group of 17 metals essential in manufacturing magnets used in electric vehicles, mobile phones, and various electronic devices. There are no known substitutes for these elements. According to the US Geological Survey, 50 minerals are classified as critical for the American economy and national defence. This includes certain rare earth elements, as well as nickel and lithium. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of uranium, lithium, and titanium, though these are not among the world’s top five largest reserves by volume. The United States also has its own untapped reserves of these and other essential minerals. Also read: ‘DOGE digging its own grave’: Internet slams billionaire Elon Musk over DOGE’s long work hours remark Why is Trump interested in Ukraine’s rare earth minerals? The US currently operates only one rare earth mine and has minimal processing capability. While several companies are working on developing new projects, China remains the dominant global producer of rare earth elements and other crucial minerals. Trump’s approach to exchanging aid for minerals aligns with his broader foreign policy strategy, which has prioritised economic leverage in international dealings. He has used similar tactics to pressure allies, such as Colombia and Mexico, into negotiating agreements on various issues. His interest in Ukraine’s rare earth resources is not entirely new, as Zelensky himself had previously stressed Ukraine’s wealth of critical minerals as a means to attract the Trump administration’s support. In recent months, the Ukrainian president has argued that defending Ukraine is also in America's economic interest, given the potential benefits of Ukraine’s mineral resources for US industries. Following Trump's comments, a senior Ukrainian official told The New York Times on Monday night that Ukraine is open to working with the US on rare earth mineral agreements, provided that Washington offers enough security guarantees to prevent these resources from falling into Russian hands. Last year, Ukraine had planned to sign an agreement with the Biden administration to collaborate on extracting and processing minerals. However, the Ukrainian authorities delayed the signing, with officials on both sides indicating that Kyiv was waiting for Trump to take office before finalising a deal. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump wants Ukraine to repay US aid with 'rare earths': What are they and why does he want them?

China's chief intelligence agency posted on social media a comic strip featuring foreign-looking characters secretly extracting rare earths, in a story portraying the country's strategic metals under threat from covetous "overseas organisations".

The comic strip, published on Sunday on the State Security Ministry's official WeChat account, showed security officers uncovering "suspicious" exploration and mapping activities by a group of people supposedly doing survey work for real estate development.

No foreign government or agencies were named in the comic strip, and the ministry did not specify any measures to counter foreign 'interest'&nbsp;in China's rare earths.

The ministry could not be reached for further comment.

China, the world's largest producer of rare earths accounting for nearly 90% of global refined output, last year introduced restrictions on exports of the elements&nbsp;germanium and gallium, used widely in the chip-making sector, citing the need to protect national security and interests.

It also banned the export of&nbsp;technology&nbsp;to make rare earth magnets, in addition to a ban on technology to extract and separate rare earths.

The restrictions have fanned fears that the supply of rare earths might ignite tensions with the West, particularly the United States, which accuses China of using economic coercion to influence other countries. Beijing denies the claim.

The United States has previously imposed restrictions on China's access to advanced chips and chip-making tools that could fuel breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and sophisticated computers for its military.

The demand for rare earths, used widely in lasers, military equipment and consumer electronics, has&nbsp;grown with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, wind power and inverter air conditioners.

"As technology grows in leaps and bounds, some primary minerals have become rare strategic resources," a police character in the comic said.

"China boasts rich resources of these minerals. Overseas organisations have already had their eyes on them."

Set in fictional Xishan Mining Area - described as an area rich in critical and scarce mineral deposits that could bring breakthroughs in super-semiconductor technology - the comic depicts two officers that were sent to the area undercover as lost hikers to gather information.

State-controlled Global Times described the comic as underscoring the importance of safeguarding key mineral resources as China-U.S. trade frictions and global geopolitical tensions have turned the global competition for rare earths into an issue of national security.

The newspaper said the United States, Japan and the European Union, among others, have for a long time "coveted China's rare earth mineral resources".

"They have even resorted to infiltration, bribery, and espionage to achieve their goals," Global Times said, quoting Li Baiyang, an associate professor of intelligence studies at Nanjing University.

China's chief intelligence agency posted on social media a comic strip featuring foreign-looking characters secretly extracting rare earths, in a story portraying the country's strategic metals under threat from covetous "overseas organisations".

China's chief intelligence agency posted on social media a comic strip featuring foreign-looking characters secretly extracting rare earths, in a story portraying the country's strategic metals under threat from covetous "overseas organisations". The comic strip, published on Sunday on the State Security Ministry's official WeChat account, showed security officers uncovering "suspicious" exploration and mapping activities by a group of people supposedly doing survey work for real estate development. No foreign government or agencies were named in the comic strip, and the ministry did not specify any measures to counter foreign 'interest' in China's rare earths. The ministry could not be reached for further comment. China, the world's largest producer of rare earths accounting for nearly 90% of global refined output, last year introduced restrictions on exports of the elements germanium and gallium, used widely in the chip-making sector, citing the need to protect national security and interests. It also banned the export of technology to make rare earth magnets, in addition to a ban on technology to extract and separate rare earths. The restrictions have fanned fears that the supply of rare earths might ignite tensions with the West, particularly the United States, which accuses China of using economic coercion to influence other countries. Beijing denies the claim. The United States has previously imposed restrictions on China's access to advanced chips and chip-making tools that could fuel breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and sophisticated computers for its military. The demand for rare earths, used widely in lasers, military equipment and consumer electronics, has grown with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, wind power and inverter air conditioners. "As technology grows in leaps and bounds, some primary minerals have become rare strategic resources," a police character in the comic said. "China boasts rich resources of these minerals. Overseas organisations have already had their eyes on them." Set in fictional Xishan Mining Area - described as an area rich in critical and scarce mineral deposits that could bring breakthroughs in super-semiconductor technology - the comic depicts two officers that were sent to the area undercover as lost hikers to gather information. State-controlled Global Times described the comic as underscoring the importance of safeguarding key mineral resources as China-U.S. trade frictions and global geopolitical tensions have turned the global competition for rare earths into an issue of national security. The newspaper said the United States, Japan and the European Union, among others, have for a long time "coveted China's rare earth mineral resources". "They have even resorted to infiltration, bribery, and espionage to achieve their goals," Global Times said, quoting Li Baiyang, an associate professor of intelligence studies at Nanjing University.

China, in comic strip, warns of ‘overseas’ threats to its rare earths

In a move to safeguard its dominance in the rare earths sector, China, the world's leading processor of these critical materials, has officially prohibited the export of technology crucial for extracting and separating rare earths. <o:p></o:p>

According to Reuters, the ban, announced on Thursday, is anticipated to have an impact on "heavy rare earths," vital for electric vehicle (EV) motors, medical devices, and weaponry, where China currently holds a virtual monopoly. Rare earths, a group of 17 metals, are indispensable for manufacturing magnets used in EVs, wind turbines, and electronics.<o:p></o:p>

China's commerce ministry-initiated discussions in December last year, seeking public input on the potential addition of this technology to its "Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export." <o:p></o:p>

The move aligns with the country's broader efforts to tighten regulations on the export of critical minerals, citing national security and public interest as primary objectives. <o:p></o:p>

Reuters cited Nathan Picarsic, the co-founder of the geopolitical consulting firm Horizon Advisory, who highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "This should be a clarion call that dependence on China in any part of the value chain is not sustainable." <o:p></o:p>

The ban underscores China's commitment to maintaining its market dominance, sparking concerns and intensifying the global race to secure alternative rare earth processing capabilities.<o:p></o:p>

As China asserts control over its rare earth technology, the West faces challenges in reducing dependence on Chinese rare earths, constituting nearly 90 per cent of global refined output. Western countries, including the US and Europe, are striving to establish their rare earth processing operations. <o:p></o:p>

The struggle is particularly pronounced in heavy rare earths, where China excels and has recently banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals, alloy materials, and certain rare earth magnets.<o:p></o:p>

Shares of MP Materials, a Western rare earth company, surged more than 10 per cent following China's announcement. MP Materials has been gradually increasing rare earth processing in California. Ucore Rare Metals, another player in the sector, reported the completion of commissioning a facility for testing its rare earths processing technology, partly funded by the US Department of Defence.<o:p></o:p>

Experts suggest that the ban's impact may impede the development of heavy rare earth separation capacity outside China. While the West is making strides in processing "light" rare earths, including neodymium and praseodymium, the challenge remains in reducing reliance on China for critical elements like dysprosium.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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In a move to safeguard its dominance in the rare earths sector, China, the world's leading processor of these critical materials, has officially prohibited the export of technology crucial for extracting and separating rare earths.

In a move to safeguard its dominance in the rare earths sector, China, the world's leading processor of these critical materials, has officially prohibited the export of technology crucial for extracting and separating rare earths. According to Reuters, the ban, announced on Thursday, is anticipated to have an impact on "heavy rare earths," vital for electric vehicle (EV) motors, medical devices, and weaponry, where China currently holds a virtual monopoly. Rare earths, a group of 17 metals, are indispensable for manufacturing magnets used in EVs, wind turbines, and electronics. China's commerce ministry-initiated discussions in December last year, seeking public input on the potential addition of this technology to its "Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export." The move aligns with the country's broader efforts to tighten regulations on the export of critical minerals, citing national security and public interest as primary objectives. Reuters cited Nathan Picarsic, the co-founder of the geopolitical consulting firm Horizon Advisory, who highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "This should be a clarion call that dependence on China in any part of the value chain is not sustainable." The ban underscores China's commitment to maintaining its market dominance, sparking concerns and intensifying the global race to secure alternative rare earth processing capabilities. As China asserts control over its rare earth technology, the West faces challenges in reducing dependence on Chinese rare earths, constituting nearly 90 per cent of global refined output. Western countries, including the US and Europe, are striving to establish their rare earth processing operations. The struggle is particularly pronounced in heavy rare earths, where China excels and has recently banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals, alloy materials, and certain rare earth magnets. Shares of MP Materials, a Western rare earth company, surged more than 10 per cent following China's announcement. MP Materials has been gradually increasing rare earth processing in California. Ucore Rare Metals, another player in the sector, reported the completion of commissioning a facility for testing its rare earths processing technology, partly funded by the US Department of Defence. Experts suggest that the ban's impact may impede the development of heavy rare earth separation capacity outside China. While the West is making strides in processing "light" rare earths, including neodymium and praseodymium, the challenge remains in reducing reliance on China for critical elements like dysprosium. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China tightens grip on rare earths industry, bans key technology exports for national security

The Indian government on Wednesday approved the selling price as well as the royalty on lithium and rare earth elements (REEs), thereby enabling the first auction of their recently-discovered blocks, and kept royalty at “reasonable” rates to encourage private sector participation in their commercial mining.

For lithium, the Indian Cabinet approved a royalty rate of three percent based on the London Metal Exchange price chargeable on the “contained lithium metal”, since the newly-discovered resources would require proper technology and quantum investment to profitably extract lithium from its ore.

The royalty on REE has been fixed at one percent of the average sale price of rare earth oxide (REO) chargeable on the REO contained in the produced ore. This is in line with the international practice where REE royalty is half of the royalty on ilmenite, rutile and zircon (two percent).

Both lithium and REE were not exclusively specified in the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957. This meant that they attracted royalty rates of 12 per cent. The new rates would be applicable for the next three years. Wednesday’s fixation of average sale price and royalty would enable state governments to auction the newly-found blocks.&nbsp;

The Mines Ministry had proposed that royalty may “initially be kept at a reasonable level” to encourage more participation. It said that in prescribing royalty for minerals to be mined for the first time in the country, factors such as ease in royalty administration, fair revenue to the states and investor interest to mine the minerals must be considered.&nbsp;

“Encouraging indigenous mining of lithium and REE is in the national interest. It would lead to a reduction in imports and would also help in the efforts of making Atmanirbhar Bharat,” it argued.

India meets about 70 percent of its lithium - the key element for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries - through imports even as it seeks to increase the EV penetration from current 1 percent to 30 percent by 2030.

India depends on China and Hong Kong for about 70 percent of its lithium imports and more than 90 percent for lithium-ion. Australia is the world’s top lithium producer followed by the ‘Lithium Triangle’ of Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.

Recently, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits were discovered in Salal-Hamina areas of Reasi district of Jammu &amp; Kashmir by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).&nbsp;

As for REE, Karnataka had informed that the Mincheri REE block in Raichur district was explored by the Geological Survey of India up to G3 level. Since the atomic minerals reported in this block were below the notified threshold value, the state government had been authorised to auction the block.

GSI has also conducted exploration and finalised the geological reports for nine other blocks with three in Bihar, two each in Gujarat and Maharashtra, one each in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian government on Wednesday approved the selling price as well as the royalty on lithium and rare earth elements (REEs), thereby enabling the first auction of their recently-discovered blocks, and kept royalty at “reasonable” rates to encourage private sector participation in their commercial mining.

The Indian government on Wednesday approved the selling price as well as the royalty on lithium and rare earth elements (REEs), thereby enabling the first auction of their recently-discovered blocks, and kept royalty at “reasonable” rates to encourage private sector participation in their commercial mining. For lithium, the Indian Cabinet approved a royalty rate of three percent based on the London Metal Exchange price chargeable on the “contained lithium metal”, since the newly-discovered resources would require proper technology and quantum investment to profitably extract lithium from its ore. The royalty on REE has been fixed at one percent of the average sale price of rare earth oxide (REO) chargeable on the REO contained in the produced ore. This is in line with the international practice where REE royalty is half of the royalty on ilmenite, rutile and zircon (two percent). Both lithium and REE were not exclusively specified in the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957. This meant that they attracted royalty rates of 12 per cent. The new rates would be applicable for the next three years. Wednesday’s fixation of average sale price and royalty would enable state governments to auction the newly-found blocks. The Mines Ministry had proposed that royalty may “initially be kept at a reasonable level” to encourage more participation. It said that in prescribing royalty for minerals to be mined for the first time in the country, factors such as ease in royalty administration, fair revenue to the states and investor interest to mine the minerals must be considered. “Encouraging indigenous mining of lithium and REE is in the national interest. It would lead to a reduction in imports and would also help in the efforts of making Atmanirbhar Bharat,” it argued. India meets about 70 percent of its lithium - the key element for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries - through imports even as it seeks to increase the EV penetration from current 1 percent to 30 percent by 2030. India depends on China and Hong Kong for about 70 percent of its lithium imports and more than 90 percent for lithium-ion. Australia is the world’s top lithium producer followed by the ‘Lithium Triangle’ of Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. Recently, 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits were discovered in Salal-Hamina areas of Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). As for REE, Karnataka had informed that the Mincheri REE block in Raichur district was explored by the Geological Survey of India up to G3 level. Since the atomic minerals reported in this block were below the notified threshold value, the state government had been authorised to auction the block. GSI has also conducted exploration and finalised the geological reports for nine other blocks with three in Bihar, two each in Gujarat and Maharashtra, one each in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

India's El Dorado: All eyes set on first lithium, rare earth elements auctions

Scientists at a research institute in India's Hyderabad discovered light rare earth elements (REE) in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, about 2,000 km south of national capital New Delhi. All these elements are deemed essential components in the manufacturing of electronic devices, medical technology, clean energy, aerospace, automotive, and defence industries.

The discovery was made by Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute.

<h2>India rare earth elements discovery: What are they?</h2>

The light rare earth element minerals found in Ananthapur district include allanite, ceriate, thorite, columbite, tantalite, apatite, zircon, monazite, pyrochlore euxenite and fluorite.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The discovery of these elements has implications for the country's electronics and clean energy sectors. This will reduce India's reliance on foreign imports of these critical minerals.

Rare earths are 15 elements referred in the lanthanide and Actinide series of the periodic table of elements.

<h2>How the discovery was made?</h2>

NGRI scientists were conducting a survey for non-traditional rocks like syenites when they made the significant discovery of the minerals in the lanthanide series.&nbsp;

NGRI scientist PV Sunder Raju said, "Zircon of varying shapes was observed in Reddypalle and Peddavadaguru villages."

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nsYYxXPoak">Gravitas Plus: New Lithium reserve in J&amp;K | What does it mean for India?</a>

"The monazite grains showed high-order multiple colours with radial cracks within grains, suggestive of the presence of radioactive elements," he added.

Raju said that more feasibility studies will be conducted by deep drilling to learn more about these REEs.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-discovers-huge-deposits-of-lithium-critical-for-electric-mobility-560432">India discovers huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility</a>

Earlier in February, India discovered 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in Electric Vehicle batteries.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Scientists at a research institute in India's Hyderabad discovered light rare earth elements (REE) in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, about 2,000 km south of national capital New Delhi.

Scientists at a research institute in India's Hyderabad discovered light rare earth elements (REE) in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, about 2,000 km south of national capital New Delhi. All these elements are deemed essential components in the manufacturing of electronic devices, medical technology, clean energy, aerospace, automotive, and defence industries. The discovery was made by Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute. India rare earth elements discovery: What are they? The light rare earth element minerals found in Ananthapur district include allanite, ceriate, thorite, columbite, tantalite, apatite, zircon, monazite, pyrochlore euxenite and fluorite. What does it mean? The discovery of these elements has implications for the country's electronics and clean energy sectors. This will reduce India's reliance on foreign imports of these critical minerals. Rare earths are 15 elements referred in the lanthanide and Actinide series of the periodic table of elements. How the discovery was made? NGRI scientists were conducting a survey for non-traditional rocks like syenites when they made the significant discovery of the minerals in the lanthanide series. NGRI scientist PV Sunder Raju said, "Zircon of varying shapes was observed in Reddypalle and Peddavadaguru villages." ALSO WATCH | Gravitas Plus: New Lithium reserve in J&K | What does it mean for India? "The monazite grains showed high-order multiple colours with radial cracks within grains, suggestive of the presence of radioactive elements," he added. Raju said that more feasibility studies will be conducted by deep drilling to learn more about these REEs. ALSO READ | India discovers huge deposits of Lithium critical for electric mobility Earlier in February, India discovered 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in Electric Vehicle batteries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India discovers rare earth elements critical for self-reliance in defence, aerospace

In northern Sweden, some 125 miles (200 km) above the Arctic Circle, a town named Kiruna is witnessing subsidence due to the world’s biggest iron ore mine. Among several buildings, the city of 18,000 people is also home to a culturally significant, 600-tonne wooden, cosy terracotta-coloured church, designed to resemble a hut of the indigenous Sami people. The fate of these structures and homes is intertwined with the state-run company LKAB which is the largest iron ore mine in the world and produces 80 per cent of the European Union’s supply, said a report by the Guardian.

What will happen to the town?

In the upcoming years, Kiruna is about to witness one of the world’s most radical relocation projects as the local iron ore mine is threatening to swallow the town, as per the Guardian, after cracks emerged in hospitals and school buildings. At least 6,000 are set to move from the sinking town and will also face a gradual rise in their rent, over eight years to a cap of 25 per cent higher than the old rate.&nbsp;

Kiruna church

In 1912, the town became home to the 600-tonne wooden building with no religious symbol which was once described by the vicar, Lena Tjärnberg, as “the living room of the community”. In the next three years, after more than a century, the most beautiful old building in Sweden will be moved. According to the report, the terracotta-coloured church, designed to resemble a hut of the indigenous Sami people, will be relocated some three km east of the old town to near the local graveyard.&nbsp;

The LKAB

Founded in 1900 the mine in question is run by the Swedish state-owned company LKAB which is also the largest iron ore mine in the world. However, moving forward the company hopes to be at the forefront of Europe’s green industrial revolution and drive autonomy for natural resources, as per the Guardian. In 2021, the company also began producing fossil-free sponge iron which was done by replacing coal with hydrogen produced from green electricity.&nbsp;

Last month, the company also announced that it was sitting on the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in Europe, some of which are important for producing electric car batteries and wind turbines. Subsequently, the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister as well as the one in charge of climate and business, Ebba Busch said, “Sweden is literally a goldmine…Europe needs to learn the lesson, to not be so highly dependent on one single country for gas in the way we were (on) Russia.”&nbsp;

Speaking to the reporters from inside the mine, Busch at the time had said that this discovery of rare earth metals also gives Europe a chance to be less dependent on China which is the source of 86 per cent of the global supply, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;

How will it affect the local community?

The kind of transformation Kiruna is going through has raised alarms among many as the entire town is going to be relocated due to the mining activity in the region and the risk it poses to the town’s residents including the Sami people. Centuries before the LKAB began their mining operations in the region, the Sami people would herd reindeer throughout the Arctic lands, however, reports suggest that their way of life is under threat.&nbsp;

In addition, the mining and human activities which have consequently led to the fragmentation of the land make reindeer herding ever more difficult while the climate crisis was already threatening the main winter food source for reindeer which is lichen. The Sami people also fear that any disruptions to such an “ancient activity” would compromise their rights to the land, reported the Guardian.

An LKAB spokesperson, Anders Lindberg, said that two Sami villages have already changed their herding routes since the mine opened while the company has become better at listening to the herders’ issues and is working on minimising the impact of their work. However, according to the report, another Sami village named Gabna might have to change their herding routes since the discovery of the new rare earth elements.&nbsp; 
 
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In northern Sweden, some 125 miles (200 km) above the Arctic Circle, a town named Kiruna is witnessing subsidence due to the world’s biggest iron ore mine. Among several buildings, the city of 18,000 people is also home to a culturally significant, 600-tonne wooden, cosy terracotta-coloured church, designed to resemble a hut of the indigenous Sami people.

In northern Sweden, some 125 miles (200 km) above the Arctic Circle, a town named Kiruna is witnessing subsidence due to the world’s biggest iron ore mine. Among several buildings, the city of 18,000 people is also home to a culturally significant, 600-tonne wooden, cosy terracotta-coloured church, designed to resemble a hut of the indigenous Sami people. The fate of these structures and homes is intertwined with the state-run company LKAB which is the largest iron ore mine in the world and produces 80 per cent of the European Union’s supply, said a report by the Guardian. What will happen to the town? In the upcoming years, Kiruna is about to witness one of the world’s most radical relocation projects as the local iron ore mine is threatening to swallow the town, as per the Guardian, after cracks emerged in hospitals and school buildings. At least 6,000 are set to move from the sinking town and will also face a gradual rise in their rent, over eight years to a cap of 25 per cent higher than the old rate. Kiruna church In 1912, the town became home to the 600-tonne wooden building with no religious symbol which was once described by the vicar, Lena Tjärnberg, as “the living room of the community”. In the next three years, after more than a century, the most beautiful old building in Sweden will be moved. According to the report, the terracotta-coloured church, designed to resemble a hut of the indigenous Sami people, will be relocated some three km east of the old town to near the local graveyard. The LKAB Founded in 1900 the mine in question is run by the Swedish state-owned company LKAB which is also the largest iron ore mine in the world. However, moving forward the company hopes to be at the forefront of Europe’s green industrial revolution and drive autonomy for natural resources, as per the Guardian. In 2021, the company also began producing fossil-free sponge iron which was done by replacing coal with hydrogen produced from green electricity. Last month, the company also announced that it was sitting on the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in Europe, some of which are important for producing electric car batteries and wind turbines. Subsequently, the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister as well as the one in charge of climate and business, Ebba Busch said, “Sweden is literally a goldmine…Europe needs to learn the lesson, to not be so highly dependent on one single country for gas in the way we were (on) Russia.” Speaking to the reporters from inside the mine, Busch at the time had said that this discovery of rare earth metals also gives Europe a chance to be less dependent on China which is the source of 86 per cent of the global supply, reported the Guardian. How will it affect the local community? The kind of transformation Kiruna is going through has raised alarms among many as the entire town is going to be relocated due to the mining activity in the region and the risk it poses to the town’s residents including the Sami people. Centuries before the LKAB began their mining operations in the region, the Sami people would herd reindeer throughout the Arctic lands, however, reports suggest that their way of life is under threat. In addition, the mining and human activities which have consequently led to the fragmentation of the land make reindeer herding ever more difficult while the climate crisis was already threatening the main winter food source for reindeer which is lichen. The Sami people also fear that any disruptions to such an “ancient activity” would compromise their rights to the land, reported the Guardian. An LKAB spokesperson, Anders Lindberg, said that two Sami villages have already changed their herding routes since the mine opened while the company has become better at listening to the herders’ issues and is working on minimising the impact of their work. However, according to the report, another Sami village named Gabna might have to change their herding routes since the discovery of the new rare earth elements. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Why this town in Sweden is being moved one building at a time

In what can raise Europe's hopes of cutting it dependence on China, continent's largest known deposit of rare-earth elements has been found in Sweden. Rare-Earth elements are absolutely essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles and other products that are important in today's tech driven world.

LKAB, the Swedish mining group, said on Thursday (January 12) that the deposit contained more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides. The deposit was found right next to LKAB's iron ore mine.

"This is the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in our part of the world, and it could become a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition," LKAB's chief executive Jan Mostrom said in a statement.

"We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles," Mostrom added.

Though this deposit is biggest in Europe, it is small compared to global deposits. The US Geological Survey has estimated that this deposit is less than one per cent of 120 million tonnes estimated to be present worldwide.

In 2021, the European Commission said that 98 percent of the rare earths used in the EU were imported from China, prompting Brussels to urge member states to develop their own extraction capacities.

LKAB's find was presented as a delegation from the European Commission visited Sweden, which took over the rotating EU presidency at the start of the year.

"Today, the EU is way too dependent on other countries for these materials," Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference, pointing specifically to Russia and China.

"This must change. We must take responsibility for the raw material supply needed for the (green) transition," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In what can raise Europe's hopes of cutting it dependence on China, continent's largest known deposit of rare-earth elements has been found in Sweden. Rare-Earth elements are absolutely essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles and other products that are important in today's tech driven world.

In what can raise Europe's hopes of cutting it dependence on China, continent's largest known deposit of rare-earth elements has been found in Sweden. Rare-Earth elements are absolutely essential for the manufacture of electric vehicles and other products that are important in today's tech driven world. LKAB, the Swedish mining group, said on Thursday (January 12) that the deposit contained more than one million tonnes of rare earth oxides. The deposit was found right next to LKAB's iron ore mine. "This is the largest known deposit of rare earth elements in our part of the world, and it could become a significant building block for producing the critical raw materials that are absolutely crucial to enable the green transition," LKAB's chief executive Jan Mostrom said in a statement. "We face a supply problem. Without mines, there can be no electric vehicles," Mostrom added. Though this deposit is biggest in Europe, it is small compared to global deposits. The US Geological Survey has estimated that this deposit is less than one per cent of 120 million tonnes estimated to be present worldwide. In 2021, the European Commission said that 98 percent of the rare earths used in the EU were imported from China, prompting Brussels to urge member states to develop their own extraction capacities. LKAB's find was presented as a delegation from the European Commission visited Sweden, which took over the rotating EU presidency at the start of the year. "Today, the EU is way too dependent on other countries for these materials," Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference, pointing specifically to Russia and China. "This must change. We must take responsibility for the raw material supply needed for the (green) transition," she added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Sweden: One million tonnes of rare earths deposit found, largest in Europe

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).&nbsp;

Apart from the US, the other countries to have joined this partnership are: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the UK, and the European Commission.

The partnership was announced at the world’s largest mining event, held in Toronto in June.&nbsp;

“Demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies, is projected to expand significantly in the coming decades. The MSP will help catalyse investment from governments and the private sector for strategic opportunities — across the full value chain — that adhere to the highest environmental, social, and governance standards,” the US State Department said in a statement issued on June 14.

However, as per reports, there have been growing concerns in India over being left out of the US-led partnership that seeks to end dependency on China. And New Delhi’s apprehension is quite justified given that the country has been pushing for EV and electronics, for which rare earth minerals are needed.

What is MSP?

Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is an ambitious new alliance formed by the US to secure supply chains of critical minerals. It comes in the backdrop of recorded demand for critical minerals, which are essential for&nbsp;clean energy&nbsp;and other technologies.

The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled&nbsp;in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments.

The focus would be on the supply chains of minerals such as&nbsp;Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium&nbsp;and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals.

What is a critical mineral?

There is no global definition of critical minerals, but essentially, they are mineral deposits with high economic vulnerability and high global supply chain risk.

Rare earth (RE) comprises seventeen elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE).

There is an immense range of these of course and many countries already have their own specific lists of what they currently consider critical minerals – depending on their industrial production requirements.

But globally, there is a gap between projected supply and projected demand for many critical minerals by the end of this decade, especially in cobalt and lithium.

What are major critical minerals?

The major critical minerals are Graphite, Lithium and Cobalt. They are used for making EV batteries and are also critical for making semiconductors and high-end electronics manufacturing.

These minerals are also used in manufacturing fighter jets,&nbsp;drones,&nbsp;radio sets&nbsp;and other critical equipment, hence it is critical for aerospace, communications and defence industries.

Who are the top producers of critical minerals?

According to a report released by the International Energy Agency in 2021 and subsequently updated in March 2022, the major producers of critical minerals globally are Chile, Indonesia, Congo, China, Australia and South Africa.

In terms of processing, China rules the roost. While others include Indonesia, Chile and Japan.

Notably, none of these countries, except Japan and Australia, are represented in the MSP.

India’s concerns

Some of the rare earth elements available India are: Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium. While others classified as heavy RE elements such as Dysprosium, Terbium, Europium are not available in extractable quantity.

India relies heavily on China for HREE, which is one of the leading producers with an estimated 70 per cent of the global production.

Hence, there is a lot at stake for India. Which is why Union Finance Ministry, according to The Indian Express, have reportedly communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of how New Delhi can join the 11-member group.

(With inputs from agencies)

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).

In order to break the dominance and reduce dependence on China in mining and processing rare earth minerals, the United States recently announced the formation of a global alliance called the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP). Apart from the US, the other countries to have joined this partnership are: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the UK, and the European Commission. The partnership was announced at the world’s largest mining event, held in Toronto in June. “Demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies, is projected to expand significantly in the coming decades. The MSP will help catalyse investment from governments and the private sector for strategic opportunities — across the full value chain — that adhere to the highest environmental, social, and governance standards,” the US State Department said in a statement issued on June 14. However, as per reports, there have been growing concerns in India over being left out of the US-led partnership that seeks to end dependency on China. And New Delhi’s apprehension is quite justified given that the country has been pushing for EV and electronics, for which rare earth minerals are needed. What is MSP? Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is an ambitious new alliance formed by the US to secure supply chains of critical minerals. It comes in the backdrop of recorded demand for critical minerals, which are essential for clean energy and other technologies. The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical minerals are produced, processed, and recycled in a manner that supports the ability of countries to realise the full economic development benefit of their geological endowments. The focus would be on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals. What is a critical mineral? There is no global definition of critical minerals, but essentially, they are mineral deposits with high economic vulnerability and high global supply chain risk. Rare earth (RE) comprises seventeen elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE). There is an immense range of these of course and many countries already have their own specific lists of what they currently consider critical minerals – depending on their industrial production requirements. But globally, there is a gap between projected supply and projected demand for many critical minerals by the end of this decade, especially in cobalt and lithium. What are major critical minerals? The major critical minerals are Graphite, Lithium and Cobalt. They are used for making EV batteries and are also critical for making semiconductors and high-end electronics manufacturing. These minerals are also used in manufacturing fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical equipment, hence it is critical for aerospace, communications and defence industries. Who are the top producers of critical minerals? According to a report released by the International Energy Agency in 2021 and subsequently updated in March 2022, the major producers of critical minerals globally are Chile, Indonesia, Congo, China, Australia and South Africa. In terms of processing, China rules the roost. While others include Indonesia, Chile and Japan. Notably, none of these countries, except Japan and Australia, are represented in the MSP. India’s concerns Some of the rare earth elements available India are: Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium. While others classified as heavy RE elements such as Dysprosium, Terbium, Europium are not available in extractable quantity. India relies heavily on China for HREE, which is one of the leading producers with an estimated 70 per cent of the global production. Hence, there is a lot at stake for India. Which is why Union Finance Ministry, according to The Indian Express, have reportedly communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of how New Delhi can join the 11-member group. (With inputs from agencies)

What is Minerals Security Partnership that seeks to end China's dominance and why is India keen to join it?

Two senators in the United States have proposed a law aiming to end China's alleged "chokehold" on rare-earth metal supplies.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is the latest in a string of US legislation seeking to thwart China's near control over the sector.

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According to Cotton, "The Chinese Communist Party has a chokehold on global rare-earth element supplies, which are used in everything from batteries to fighter jets."

"Ending America's dependence on the CCP for extraction and processing of these elements is critical to winning the strategic competition against China and protecting our national security," he said.

The senator, who sits on the Senate's Armed Forces and Intelligence committees, described China's evolution into the global rare earths leader as "simply a policy choice that the United States made," adding that he hoped fresh policies would loosen Beijing's grip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-are-rare-earth-elements-chinas-secret-weapon-437898">Also read |&nbsp;Why are 'rare earth elements' China's secret weapon?</a>

As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), eighty percent of the United States' rare-earth imports in 2019 were from China.

The bill aims to "protect America from the threat of rare-earth element supply disruptions, encourage domestic production of those elements, and reduce our reliance on China", the statement said.&nbsp;

"Our bipartisan bill will strengthen America's position as a global leader in technology by reducing our country's reliance on adversaries like China for rare earth elements," Kelly said in the statement.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/australia-us-and-canada-launch-interactive-map-for-critical-minerals-394662">Also read |&nbsp;Australia, US and Canada launch interactive map for critical minerals</a>

"Well placed policies such as this one get us closer to the target of onshoring this critical supply chain," said Marty Weems, North American president of Australia-based American Rare Earths Ltd, which is developing three US&nbsp;rare earth projects.

MP Materials Corp , which operates the only US&nbsp;rare earths mine and relies on Chinese processors, said it appreciates "ongoing efforts by the Department of Defense and broader US&nbsp;government to secure the domestic rare earth supply chain and promote free and fair competition."

With 44 million tons of reserves, China possesses some of the largest deposits of rare-earth metals, according to the USGS, and benefits from looser environmental regulations than many of its competitors.

Beijing has used these deposits to exert political pressure. In 2010, China halted rare-earth exports to Japan in retaliation over a territorial dispute.&nbsp;

Two senators in the United States have proposed a law aiming to end China's alleged "chokehold" on rare-earth metal supplies. The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is the latest in a string of US legislation seeking to thwart China's near control over the sector.

Two senators in the United States have proposed a law aiming to end China's alleged "chokehold" on rare-earth metal supplies. The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is the latest in a string of US legislation seeking to thwart China's near control over the sector. According to Cotton, "The Chinese Communist Party has a chokehold on global rare-earth element supplies, which are used in everything from batteries to fighter jets." "Ending America's dependence on the CCP for extraction and processing of these elements is critical to winning the strategic competition against China and protecting our national security," he said. The senator, who sits on the Senate's Armed Forces and Intelligence committees, described China's evolution into the global rare earths leader as "simply a policy choice that the United States made," adding that he hoped fresh policies would loosen Beijing's grip. Also read | Why are 'rare earth elements' China's secret weapon? As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), eighty percent of the United States' rare-earth imports in 2019 were from China. The bill aims to "protect America from the threat of rare-earth element supply disruptions, encourage domestic production of those elements, and reduce our reliance on China", the statement said. "Our bipartisan bill will strengthen America's position as a global leader in technology by reducing our country's reliance on adversaries like China for rare earth elements," Kelly said in the statement. Also read | Australia, US and Canada launch interactive map for critical minerals "Well placed policies such as this one get us closer to the target of onshoring this critical supply chain," said Marty Weems, North American president of Australia-based American Rare Earths Ltd, which is developing three US rare earth projects. MP Materials Corp , which operates the only US rare earths mine and relies on Chinese processors, said it appreciates "ongoing efforts by the Department of Defense and broader US government to secure the domestic rare earth supply chain and promote free and fair competition." With 44 million tons of reserves, China possesses some of the largest deposits of rare-earth metals, according to the USGS, and benefits from looser environmental regulations than many of its competitors. Beijing has used these deposits to exert political pressure. In 2010, China halted rare-earth exports to Japan in retaliation over a territorial dispute.

US senators introduce bill to end China's 'chokehold' on America's rare earth supplies

'War by other means' is something nations employ on each other. Any action to cripple the economy of the adversary, such as sanctions, is one example.

In the past two years, we have seen how, in our interconnected world, a virus can be much more lethal in comparison to bullets or bombs. It's not yet clear if it originated naturally, deliberately, or accidentally.&nbsp;

Even as that debate rages, a new battle is brewing below the radar for a secret ingredient that will act as a significant weapon.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-jiangxi-copper-mcc-to-develop-mes-aynak-copper-mine-413228/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These all-powerful elements are called ''rare earths'' and they can fuel our future.

They are a set of 17 metallic elements that already rule our lives. Scandium and Yttrium along with 15 lanthanides on the periodic table come under the category of rare earth elements (REE).

From smartphones to supersonic jets, they are the secret ingredients to almost every scientific wonder.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-education-to-bitcoin-chinas-season-of-regulatory-crackdown-401448">Also see |&nbsp;From education to bitcoin, China's season of regulatory crackdown</a>

China accounts for 97 per cent of the global production of these elements as per the US Geological Survey. The country's government is trying to alter the number of rare earth elements that can be exported.

These elements are precious and extremely rare because of their distribution. They are not found in big deposits and are expensive.

It is difficult to mine and refine them are they are spread all across the world. The distribution of the rare earth elements is as follows:

China-44 million metric ton 
Australia-22 million metric ton 
Vietnam-22 million metric ton 
Russia-12 million metric ton 
India-6.9 million metric ton 
Brazil-3.4 million metric ton 
United States-1.4 million metric ton

Despite being fairly abundant, rare earth elements are hard to find. In China, they are concentrated in three mines.&nbsp;

These include mines located in Mongolia, Huanan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, and the province of Sichuan. These areas account for 98 per cent of China's total rare earth elements.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-bidens-son-helped-china-get-control-over-vast-cobalt-mine-in-africa-report-432925">Also read |&nbsp;Joe Biden's son helped China get control over vast cobalt mine in Africa: Report</a>

China uses them as components of over 200 products across a wide range of applications such as high-tech consumer products and defence applications such as guidance and radar systems.

A dearth of rare earth products disrupt climate economy products wind turbines and throws electric vehicle battery manufacturers into disarray.

Deng Xiaoping, the former paramount leader of China said that ''The Middle East has oil and China has rare earths.''

Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to hoard these elements by restricting their export by a number of Sino foreign joint venture companies.

While the United States is at loggerheads with China, it still continues to export 80 of its rare earth elements from China.

China is using them as a political weapon or bargaining chip to threaten the US several times that will halt its supply if it continues to impose sanctions on it.

As a backup plan, it is investing heavily in South America and that includes securing critical minerals.

In a multi-pronged approach, it has invested $780 million in Venezuela, out of which $180 million is specifically dedicated to nickel mining.

It has a 55 per cent stake in Chile and Peru's copper reserves and a 49 per cent stake in Bolivia's lithium industry.

China has invested $36 billion in Sub-Saharan Africa and has owned 60 per cent of the cobalt reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Does the world have other options?

Yes, there are other countries with large deposits of rare earth elements that can feed the needs of the American and European markets and end China's monopoly. These countries include Australia, Vietnam, India, Brazil, and Canada.

India was one of the first countries to recognise the importance of these minerals. The country established a government company called Indian Rare Earths Limited in 1950 that was based in Mumbai.

Despite having that advantage, the progress of extracting these rare earth elements got buried under red tape.

The industry for these elements is still under-used in comparison with its true potential.

The minerals lie buried in Indian soil and the country has the world's fifth-largest reserve of them.

The deposits and mostly located in the states of Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and the northeastern states.

According to an estimate by Beach Minerals Producers Association, the domestic supply chain of rare earth elements in India can be worth Rs 90,000 crore ($12 billion) in annual turnover if it is revived.

The industry can provide capital employment of approximately Rs 121,000 crore ($16 billion). This will include a massive foreign exchange of Rs 50,000 crore ($6 billion) as the same estimate.

'War by other means' is something nations employ on each other. Any action to cripple the economy of the adversary, such as sanctions, is one example. In the past two years, we have seen how, in our interconnected world, a virus can be much more lethal in comparison to bullets or bombs.

'War by other means' is something nations employ on each other. Any action to cripple the economy of the adversary, such as sanctions, is one example. In the past two years, we have seen how, in our interconnected world, a virus can be much more lethal in comparison to bullets or bombs. It's not yet clear if it originated naturally, deliberately, or accidentally. Even as that debate rages, a new battle is brewing below the radar for a secret ingredient that will act as a significant weapon. These all-powerful elements are called ''rare earths'' and they can fuel our future. They are a set of 17 metallic elements that already rule our lives. Scandium and Yttrium along with 15 lanthanides on the periodic table come under the category of rare earth elements (REE). From smartphones to supersonic jets, they are the secret ingredients to almost every scientific wonder. Also see | From education to bitcoin, China's season of regulatory crackdown China accounts for 97 per cent of the global production of these elements as per the US Geological Survey. The country's government is trying to alter the number of rare earth elements that can be exported. These elements are precious and extremely rare because of their distribution. They are not found in big deposits and are expensive. It is difficult to mine and refine them are they are spread all across the world. The distribution of the rare earth elements is as follows: China-44 million metric ton Australia-22 million metric ton Vietnam-22 million metric ton Russia-12 million metric ton India-6.9 million metric ton Brazil-3.4 million metric ton United States-1.4 million metric ton Despite being fairly abundant, rare earth elements are hard to find. In China, they are concentrated in three mines. These include mines located in Mongolia, Huanan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, and the province of Sichuan. These areas account for 98 per cent of China's total rare earth elements. Also read | Joe Biden's son helped China get control over vast cobalt mine in Africa: Report China uses them as components of over 200 products across a wide range of applications such as high-tech consumer products and defence applications such as guidance and radar systems. A dearth of rare earth products disrupt climate economy products wind turbines and throws electric vehicle battery manufacturers into disarray. Deng Xiaoping, the former paramount leader of China said that ''The Middle East has oil and China has rare earths.'' Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to hoard these elements by restricting their export by a number of Sino foreign joint venture companies. While the United States is at loggerheads with China, it still continues to export 80 of its rare earth elements from China. China is using them as a political weapon or bargaining chip to threaten the US several times that will halt its supply if it continues to impose sanctions on it. As a backup plan, it is investing heavily in South America and that includes securing critical minerals. In a multi-pronged approach, it has invested $780 million in Venezuela, out of which $180 million is specifically dedicated to nickel mining. It has a 55 per cent stake in Chile and Peru's copper reserves and a 49 per cent stake in Bolivia's lithium industry. China has invested $36 billion in Sub-Saharan Africa and has owned 60 per cent of the cobalt reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Does the world have other options? Yes, there are other countries with large deposits of rare earth elements that can feed the needs of the American and European markets and end China's monopoly. These countries include Australia, Vietnam, India, Brazil, and Canada. India was one of the first countries to recognise the importance of these minerals. The country established a government company called Indian Rare Earths Limited in 1950 that was based in Mumbai. Despite having that advantage, the progress of extracting these rare earth elements got buried under red tape. The industry for these elements is still under-used in comparison with its true potential. The minerals lie buried in Indian soil and the country has the world's fifth-largest reserve of them. The deposits and mostly located in the states of Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and the northeastern states. According to an estimate by Beach Minerals Producers Association, the domestic supply chain of rare earth elements in India can be worth Rs 90,000 crore ($12 billion) in annual turnover if it is revived. The industry can provide capital employment of approximately Rs 121,000 crore ($16 billion). This will include a massive foreign exchange of Rs 50,000 crore ($6 billion) as the same estimate.

Why are 'rare earth elements' China's secret weapon?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-to-march-with-climate-activist-greta-thunberg-252262">Canada is in talks with the United States</a> to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

He said that in his last meeting with US President Donald Trump, "I highlighted that Canada has many of the rare earth minerals that are so necessary for modern technology."

Trudeau emphasized that Canada "is a solid ally" and can offer "a reliable supply" of rare earth minerals, many of which currently "come from China."

It is in Canada's interest, Trudeau said, "to ensure that we have reliable supplies of these important minerals for technologies and it is a conversation that our government is leading on."

The remarks followed a report in the Globe and Mail newspaper that Canada and the United States are drafting plans to reduce their mutual dependence on China for rare earth minerals such as lithium, uranium, caesium and cobalt.

China controls more than 90 per cent of the world's supply of those minerals used for key components in smartphones, solar panels and advanced military technology. It is also the world's top producer and refiner of rare earth minerals.

As the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/day-after-imran-khan-returns-from-us-pakistan-removes-maleeha-lodhi-as-permanent-representative-to-un-252912">US-China trade war</a> heats up, Beijing has hinted that it could block exports of rare earth metals.

The threat is not empty: in 2010 China temporarily halted such exports to Japan during a territorial dispute.

Canada and China are also going through an unprecedented rift in their relations following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of top Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou of Huawei on a US warrant.

Washington wants to put Meng on trial for fraud for allegedly violating Iran sanctions and lying about it to US banks -- accusations her lawyers dispute.

The case is currently winding its way through Canada's court system.

Nine days after Meng's arrest, Beijing detained two Canadians - former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor - accusing them of espionage in a move widely viewed as retaliation.

China has also blocked billions worth of Canadian agricultural shipments.

Canada is in talks with the United States to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

Canada is in talks with the United States to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. He said that in his last meeting with US President Donald Trump, "I highlighted that Canada has many of the rare earth minerals that are so necessary for modern technology." Trudeau emphasized that Canada "is a solid ally" and can offer "a reliable supply" of rare earth minerals, many of which currently "come from China." It is in Canada's interest, Trudeau said, "to ensure that we have reliable supplies of these important minerals for technologies and it is a conversation that our government is leading on." The remarks followed a report in the Globe and Mail newspaper that Canada and the United States are drafting plans to reduce their mutual dependence on China for rare earth minerals such as lithium, uranium, caesium and cobalt. China controls more than 90 per cent of the world's supply of those minerals used for key components in smartphones, solar panels and advanced military technology. It is also the world's top producer and refiner of rare earth minerals. As the US-China trade war heats up, Beijing has hinted that it could block exports of rare earth metals. The threat is not empty: in 2010 China temporarily halted such exports to Japan during a territorial dispute. Canada and China are also going through an unprecedented rift in their relations following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of top Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou of Huawei on a US warrant. Washington wants to put Meng on trial for fraud for allegedly violating Iran sanctions and lying about it to US banks -- accusations her lawyers dispute. The case is currently winding its way through Canada's court system. Nine days after Meng's arrest, Beijing detained two Canadians - former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor - accusing them of espionage in a move widely viewed as retaliation. China has also blocked billions worth of Canadian agricultural shipments.

Canada, US seek to reduce dependency on China for rare earth minerals

Facing Tough Tariffs From US, China Is Thinking About Its Options. One Of Them Could Be Restricting US Access To Rare Earth Elements. This Could Cripple Many High-Tech Devices. Watch This Report From Gravitas.

Gravitas: China's Weapon Of Choice In Trade War: Rare Earth Metals