Uncommon Elements Composed of Rare Earth Minerals
Russia, India, Brazil, and several other countries possess considerable deposits of rare earth elements (REEs) under development, but their processing infrastructure lags behind mining capacity [1]. This situation has prompted nations to take proactive measures to secure their supply chains and reduce dependence on China, which currently controls around 70% of global REE mining, 90% of refining, and over 90% of rare earth magnet production [3].
The U.S., for instance, is investing heavily in its domestic REE supply chain. The Mountain Pass mine in California serves as America's primary domestic source of rare earth materials after reopening in response to China's market dominance [2]. The U.S. Department of Defense has committed over $2.9 billion to strengthen domestic REE supply chains, including support for MP Materials, the operator of the only active rare earth mine in the U.S. [4].
Other key measures include recovery of critical minerals from mine waste and collaborations with allied countries such as Canada and Ukraine to secure supply alternatives [2][4]. The focus is not just on increasing production, but also on developing recycling infrastructure and supporting technological innovations to improve processing efficiency [1].
Efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of REE production are also underway. Initiatives like bioleaching and improved waste management techniques aim to make extraction methods cleaner [1]. However, these processes still present environmental concerns, such as radioactive waste, toxic chemicals, acid mine drainage, and large waste tailings [1].
The growing demand from electric vehicles and renewable energy installations is expected to triple REE consumption by 2035 [3]. This surge in demand, coupled with China's tightening export controls, has accelerated efforts to diversify global sources. Despite strong growth in demand, new project pipelines outside China may only cover about 70% of demand, suggesting China will still play a significant role in the near future [3].
Regulatory reforms to speed up mine permitting and environmental approvals in non-Chinese jurisdictions are seen as crucial bottleneck removals to accelerate the development of non-Chinese REE production [1]. New discoveries, such as the Per Gejer deposit in Sweden, may help diversify supply in the future [1].
Other emerging sources with significant potential deposits include Greenland, Canada, and Vietnam [1]. However, nations dependent on REEs face strategic vulnerabilities due to China's concentration of production and processing. The push for supply chain diversification will continue as countries seek to reduce vulnerability and secure reliable REE supplies, especially as they race toward carbon neutrality [1].
Stricter environmental standards for mining and processing will affect production costs globally [1]. Research into alternative materials may also reduce dependence on certain rare earths for specific applications [1]. The combination of these efforts represents a strategic push to create a more resilient, geographically diverse REE supply chain capable of meeting the surging global demand amid rising geopolitical tensions and export restrictions from China [1][2][3][4].
References:
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2021). Rare Earth Elements: Actions Needed to Address Challenges in Domestic Supply Chain Development.
- U.S. Department of Energy. (2021). Critical Materials Strategy.
- International Energy Agency. (2021). The Role of Rare Earths and Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions.
- U.S. Department of Defense. (2021). Critical Minerals Strategy.
- The push for supply chain diversification in the realm of rare earth elements (REEs) is driven by the strategic need of countries to reduce their dependence on China, which dominates 70% of global REE mining, 90% of refining, and over 90% of rare earth magnet production.
- Amidst the growing demand from electric vehicles and renewable energy installations, the global consumption of REEs is projected to triple by 2035, underscoring the need for education-and-self-development in technology and science to innovate efficient processing methods.
- As nations strive for lifestyle improvements, such as carbon neutrality, and face geopolitical tensions, they are investing in finance to develop their own REE supply chains, collaborating with allied countries like Canada and Ukraine. However, general-news regarding environmental concerns, such as radioactive waste and acid mine drainage, highlights the need for strict regulations in education-and-self-development to improve extraction methods.
