Watch "How China's Rare Earth Monopoly is Reshaping the World" - James Kennedy of ThREE Consulting. If you're in anyway new to Rare Earths (REE) or not this is a good place to understand what China has been up to and how inept the USA has become. https://www.iea.org/policies/15271-final-list-of-critical-minerals-2022
REE's are not just here for the Green Revolution like wind turbines, EV magnets, but also precision-guided weapons, stealth technology, drones, and satellites are among the key strategic defense elements that rely on rare earths. Each F-35 aircraft, shared by 14 allied nations and considered instrumental for future warfare, contains 920 pounds of rare earth material. A Journey Down the Rabbit Hole of Rare Earth Markets & Other Mysteries https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/journey-down-rabbit-hole-rare-earth-markets-other-james-kennedy
REE mining is heating up outside of China though. Big finds are popping up in Australia and Turkey. Once the infrastructure for processing the raw materials is built I can't see China having a long term monopoly.
If only it was that simple, definitely heating up, however refining/separation/processing is one of China's strengths that cannot be overcome easily at all. Biggest find will come from Africa and no doubt be an ionic clay deposit. https://stockhead.com.au/resources/...hy-asx-investors-need-to-read-the-fine-print/ China’s stranglehold of the rare earths supply chain will last another decade Angola, Australia and the US are all poised to ramp up the production of rare earth elements during the next few years, but China is set to continue enjoying an 80% share of the global refining of the vital metals. https://www.mining-technology.com/analysis/china-rare-earths-dominance-mining/
The refining is certainly an issue. Australia processes its REE in Malaysia but the Western Australian govt is discussing state govt support to develop processing capability locally. South Australia have large ionic clay deposits and the rock finds in Western Australia have high concentrations, even if its more expensive to extract. It's a problem but the Chinese mines are at the end of their lives and they are more reliant on Myanmar now. If refining capacity improves out of China the shift may happen faster than you think.
LYC will not be anywhere enough to fill the required demand. Example 6 Lynas Tb to meet current deficit alone. Malaysia doesn't really want it due to the surrounding environmental issues. Will Australia want it right on their doorstep, it's a very messy business. Chinese ionic mines coming to an end, one reason why Myanmar all important, very complex issues here surrounding all of this but bottom line is the Chinese hold all the cards. They understand the importance of REE's not just now but into the future whereas other countries are way behind the curve. Make up of the basket is what matters, most new ones are just not economical at the end of the day. REE's are the new oil IMO.
https://www.thedailystar.net/opinio...advanced-chips-china-has-another-card-3115316 Sep 9, 2022 US controls advanced chips, but China has another card Beijing has control over a vital resource essential for weapons, petroleum and electronics
