China's proposed export restrictions on rare earth minerals could put $6.5 trillion worth of global downstream production at risk if fully implemented. This is according to the International Energy Agency's latest global critical minerals outlook.

IEA warns: China's export controls put $6.5 trillion at risk | World Business Watch  

A quiet battle over some of the world’s most valuable minerals is reshaping global supply chains. Rare earth elements, used in everything from electric vehicle motors and smartphones to missiles and fighter aircraft, have become a strategic asset in the race for technological and military dominance. China’s overwhelming control over mining and processing has left several countries vulnerable to supply disruptions. India, which has reserves of its own but relies heavily on imports for processing, is now stepping up efforts to build a domestic rare earth ecosystem and reduce its dependence on Beijing.<h2>What are rare earth minerals and why are they important?</h2>Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 metallic elements that possess unique magnetic, electrical and optical properties. Despite their name, these elements are not always scarce, but rather difficult and expensive to extract and process. These minerals are crucial and used in modern technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, hard drives and several electronic devices.Rare earth minerals also hold strategic importance for national security as they are used in advanced defence systems, including missiles, fighter aircraft, radar systems and other military equipment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gaganyaan-the-mission-that-could-change-how-the-world-sees-india-s-space-ambitions-1783690204848">Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions</a>In India, these minerals are classified as critical minerals as they are vital for the clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing and essential for defence preparedness.<h2>Why does China dominate the rare earth supply chain?</h2>For decades, China has dominated the rare earth sector with large-scale mining, processing infrastructure and government-backed investments. Beijing holds a key position in the global industry due to its extensive refining and processing capabilities. Several nations that mine rare eaths are still depend on China to process them.According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), China remains the world’s leading producer of rare earth elements and controls a significant share of global processing capacity. This dominance has allowed Beijing to influence global supplies of minerals crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, semiconductors and defence manufacturing.<h2>India’s dependence on China</h2>India is among the countries seeking to strengthen its position in the rare earth sector. The country has deposits of rare earth elements, particularly in coastal regions, but faces a major hurdle – limited domestic processing and refining capacity.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-global-supply-chains-shift-can-india-become-the-next-manufacturing-hub-1783159714059">As global supply chains shift, can India become the next manufacturing hub?</a>This gap has forced Indian industries to rely on imports, including supplies from China, for several rare earth-based materials and components.The risk became more visible after China introduced tighter controls on exports of certain critical minerals, raising concerns about possible disruptions for industries dependent on these resources.<h2>New Delhi’s push for mineral security</h2>To address these challenges, India has stepped up efforts to develop a domestic rare earth ecosystem.The government’s National Critical Mineral Mission aims to expand exploration, mining, processing and recycling of critical minerals. It is also encouraging private investment and seeking partnerships with resource-rich countries to secure alternative supply chains.India is also focusing on building domestic manufacturing capacity for rare earth permanent magnets, a key component used in electric vehicles and other technologies.<h2>Why rare earths matter for India’s future</h2>The race for rare earth minerals is closely linked to India’s ambitions in electric mobility, renewable energy, electronics manufacturing and defence.A reliable supply of these minerals will be crucial as India looks to expand domestic manufacturing and reduce strategic vulnerabilities.For New Delhi, building a self-reliant rare earth supply chain is no longer just an economic goal – it is becoming a key part of the country’s technology and national security strategy.Watch | India monsoon: cloudburst hits Kashmir, Uttarakhand landslides, IMD issues heavy rain alert <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-monsoon-cloudburst-hits-kashmir-uttarakhand-landslides-imd-issues-heavy-rain-alert-1783842124166/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-monsoon-cloudburst-hits-kashmir-uttarakhand-landslides-imd-issues-heavy-rain-alert-1783842124166/embed</a>&nbsp;

China dominates the global rare earth supply chain, raising concerns over India’s dependence. As demand rises for EVs, defence and technology, India is pushing to build a self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem. Here's all you need to know.

A quiet battle over some of the world’s most valuable minerals is reshaping global supply chains. Rare earth elements, used in everything from electric vehicle motors and smartphones to missiles and fighter aircraft, have become a strategic asset in the race for technological and military dominance. China’s overwhelming control over mining and processing has left several countries vulnerable to supply disruptions. India, which has reserves of its own but relies heavily on imports for processing, is now stepping up efforts to build a domestic rare earth ecosystem and reduce its dependence on Beijing. What are rare earth minerals and why are they important? Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 metallic elements that possess unique magnetic, electrical and optical properties. Despite their name, these elements are not always scarce, but rather difficult and expensive to extract and process. These minerals are crucial and used in modern technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, hard drives and several electronic devices. Rare earth minerals also hold strategic importance for national security as they are used in advanced defence systems, including missiles, fighter aircraft, radar systems and other military equipment. Also read | Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions In India, these minerals are classified as critical minerals as they are vital for the clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing and essential for defence preparedness. Why does China dominate the rare earth supply chain? For decades, China has dominated the rare earth sector with large-scale mining, processing infrastructure and government-backed investments. Beijing holds a key position in the global industry due to its extensive refining and processing capabilities. Several nations that mine rare eaths are still depend on China to process them. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), China remains the world’s leading producer of rare earth elements and controls a significant share of global processing capacity. This dominance has allowed Beijing to influence global supplies of minerals crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, semiconductors and defence manufacturing. India’s dependence on China India is among the countries seeking to strengthen its position in the rare earth sector. The country has deposits of rare earth elements, particularly in coastal regions, but faces a major hurdle – limited domestic processing and refining capacity. Also read | As global supply chains shift, can India become the next manufacturing hub? This gap has forced Indian industries to rely on imports, including supplies from China, for several rare earth-based materials and components. The risk became more visible after China introduced tighter controls on exports of certain critical minerals, raising concerns about possible disruptions for industries dependent on these resources. New Delhi’s push for mineral security To address these challenges, India has stepped up efforts to develop a domestic rare earth ecosystem. The government’s National Critical Mineral Mission aims to expand exploration, mining, processing and recycling of critical minerals. It is also encouraging private investment and seeking partnerships with resource-rich countries to secure alternative supply chains. India is also focusing on building domestic manufacturing capacity for rare earth permanent magnets, a key component used in electric vehicles and other technologies. Why rare earths matter for India’s future The race for rare earth minerals is closely linked to India’s ambitions in electric mobility, renewable energy, electronics manufacturing and defence. A reliable supply of these minerals will be crucial as India looks to expand domestic manufacturing and reduce strategic vulnerabilities. For New Delhi, building a self-reliant rare earth supply chain is no longer just an economic goal – it is becoming a key part of the country’s technology and national security strategy. Watch | India monsoon: cloudburst hits Kashmir, Uttarakhand landslides, IMD issues heavy rain alert https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-monsoon-cloudburst-hits-kashmir-uttarakhand-landslides-imd-issues-heavy-rain-alert-1783842124166/embed

China dominates the global rare earth supply chain, raising concerns over India’s dependence. As demand rises for EVs, defence and technology, India is pushing to build a self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem. Here's all you need to know.

What are rare earth minerals and why is India racing to secure them? WION Decodes

China’s rare earth exports to the US remain low as Beijing continues to tighten control over critical minerals vital for technology and electronics manufacturing. The move affects the supply chain for American tech companies, raising concerns about dependency on Chinese resources and global trade tensions. Analysts warn that restricted exports could impact production of electronics, electric vehicles, and defense technologies in the US.


China's Rare Earth Exports to US Still Low | China Curbs Squeeze US Tech Supply

Sediment containing rare earth was retrieved from ocean depths of 6,000 metres (about 20,000 feet) on a Japanese test mission, the government said Monday, as it seeks to curb dependence on China for the valuable minerals.


Japan Finds Rare Earth in Deep-Sea Mission; Discovery Amid Rising Tensions with China

In Kenya’s southern coast, a quiet forest that are sacred to the local Digo community, sits atop what could be one of the world's richest untapped deposits of rare earth minerals. Watch this special story to find out more.

Minerals Worth Billions Hidden in Sacred Hill in Kenya

Currently, rare earth metals are in high demand because they are used in a wide range of products from smartphones to wind turbines. These metals are a group of 17 elements, including 15 silvery-white metals called lanthanides, or lanthanoids, plus scandium and yttrium. 

Top 7 countries with the largest rare earth reserves: See where India stands

The US and Ukraine signed a "historic" economic partnership deal, agreeing to split profits from the sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths in the future. President Donald Trump had hinted that the deal would provide financial motivation for America to continue to invest in Kyiv's defence and its reconstruction after a future peace deal with Russia. The deal has been signed after weeks of intense negotiation to allow Washington access to Kyiv's rare minerals deposits, both countries said.

US and Ukraine sign critical minerals deal after months of negotiations

The US is reportedly pressuring Kyiv to accept a major mineral deal that would grant American firms access to 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth reserves. While the UN states Ukraine holds 5% of the world’s supply, experts warn fresh studies are needed to fully assess the value. With no security guarantees and the war still ongoing, questions remain about who truly benefits from this deal.

Ukraine’s rare earth riches spark US push for strategic mineral deal

Ukraine will send a team to the US next week to begin further negotiations on a new draft of the rare earth minerals deal that would give the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said, according to a report.
&ldquo;The new draft agreement from the U.S. shows that the intention to create a fund or jointly invest remains,&rdquo; Svyrydenko told the Associated Press, during a trip to northern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian delegation will include representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance.&nbsp;
Svyrydenko said, "What we have now is a document that reflects the position of the U.S. Treasury legal team. This is not a final version, it&rsquo;s not a joint position.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-exchange-for-military-support-us-proposes-new-minerals-deal-for-ukraine-zelensky-says-this-is-important-8901953">'In exchange for military support': US proposes new minerals deal for Ukraine, Zelensky says 'This is important'</a>
She added that Ukraine's task now is to assemble a technical team for negotiations, define its red lines and send a delegation to the US for technical talks as early as next week.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s clear that the full parameters of this agreement can&rsquo;t be discussed online,&rdquo; Svyrydenko said. &ldquo;We need to sit down with the teams and continue the conversation in person.&rdquo;
The US and Ukraine were supposed to sign the minerals deal in February, however the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not turn out well, which postponed the signing of the deal.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-offers-to-sign-minerals-deal-at-any-time-says-trump-defending-his-position-on-ukraine-8791523">Trump speech: Zelensky offers to sign minerals deal 'any time', says US president</a>
<h2>What is there in the new draft?</h2>
The new document presents a new US proposal that goes beyond a previous framework agreed upon in February.&nbsp;
The new draft includes not only rare-earth minerals but gas and oil too.&nbsp;
However, the new draft got leaked, following which, Zelensky ordered a formal investigation into the leak of a recent US proposal concerning profits from Ukraine&rsquo;s energy and mineral assets.&nbsp;
The leak comes as tensions grow between Kyiv and the Trump administration over the conditions of a proposed agreement involving critical energy and mineral resources.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mole-inside-volodymyr-zelensky-ukraine-lie-detectors-us-mineral-deal-with-trump-leaks-8930450">Mole inside Zelensky&rsquo;s inner circle? Ukraine breaks out 'lie detectors' after Trump' mineral deal draft leaks</a>
The draft agreement was made public on 26 March by opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who claimed to have obtained a copy. Speaking at a press briefing on 28 March, Zelensky called the leak &ldquo;strange&rdquo; and questioned how the information had been passed on. &ldquo;I wonder who is transmitting this information,&rdquo; he said.
Notably, Ukraine holds significant deposits of more than 20 minerals, which are deemed critical by the US, including titanium, which is used to make aircraft wings, lithium, key to several battery technologies, and uranium, used in nuclear power.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-calls-for-us-companies-to-invest-in-ukraines-rare-earths-8691277">Zelensky invites US companies to invest in Ukraine's rare earths</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Ukraine's task now is to assemble a technical team for negotiations, define its red lines and send a delegation to US for technical talks as early as next week.

Ukraine will send a team to the US next week to begin further negotiations on a new draft of the rare earth minerals deal that would give the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said, according to a report. “The new draft agreement from the U.S. shows that the intention to create a fund or jointly invest remains,” Svyrydenko told the Associated Press, during a trip to northern Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation will include representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance. Svyrydenko said, "What we have now is a document that reflects the position of the U.S. Treasury legal team. This is not a final version, it’s not a joint position.” Also read: 'In exchange for military support': US proposes new minerals deal for Ukraine, Zelensky says 'This is important' She added that Ukraine's task now is to assemble a technical team for negotiations, define its red lines and send a delegation to the US for technical talks as early as next week. “It’s clear that the full parameters of this agreement can’t be discussed online,” Svyrydenko said. “We need to sit down with the teams and continue the conversation in person.” The US and Ukraine were supposed to sign the minerals deal in February, however the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not turn out well, which postponed the signing of the deal. Also read: Trump speech: Zelensky offers to sign minerals deal 'any time', says US president What is there in the new draft? The new document presents a new US proposal that goes beyond a previous framework agreed upon in February. The new draft includes not only rare-earth minerals but gas and oil too. However, the new draft got leaked, following which, Zelensky ordered a formal investigation into the leak of a recent US proposal concerning profits from Ukraine’s energy and mineral assets. The leak comes as tensions grow between Kyiv and the Trump administration over the conditions of a proposed agreement involving critical energy and mineral resources. Also read: Mole inside Zelensky’s inner circle? Ukraine breaks out 'lie detectors' after Trump' mineral deal draft leaks The draft agreement was made public on 26 March by opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who claimed to have obtained a copy. Speaking at a press briefing on 28 March, Zelensky called the leak “strange” and questioned how the information had been passed on. “I wonder who is transmitting this information,” he said. Notably, Ukraine holds significant deposits of more than 20 minerals, which are deemed critical by the US, including titanium, which is used to make aircraft wings, lithium, key to several battery technologies, and uranium, used in nuclear power. Also read: Zelensky invites US companies to invest in Ukraine's rare earths (With inputs from agencies)

'Not just rare earth minerals, but...': Ukraine, US talks on new minerals deal next week | Here's what Trump wants now

The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, Kirill Dmitriev, has said that discussions on projects related to Russian rare earth metals have begin with the U.S. This came days after Trump said he is "pissed off" and "very angry" with Putin over his approach to a ceasefire in Ukraine, threatening to levy tariffs on Moscow’s oil exports.

Russia, US rare earth metals talks begin after Trump's sanctions threat