A Blog for Browsing Mining, Mineral Processing, and Metals Info

China’s tightening of export controls of its rare earth minerals by expanding licensing requirements for foreign firms has ramifications for countries such as the United States. The latter’s heavy reliance on Chinese imports and lack of domestic processing facilities make it increasingly vulnerable. The delay in treating rare earth minerals as a strategic necessity, the absence of reforms and the failure over the years to initiate domestic industrial policies will ensure that it lags behind.

Mere adoption of reactionary measures against Beijing to gain geopolitical dominance on rare earths will not cut it.

Strategic vulnerability makes achieving self-sufficiency challenging. China, unlike the United States, has massive strategic leverage as it mines around 70 per cent of minerals globally and accounts for 90 per cent of global processing capability. Its tightened export controls via expansion of licensing prerequisites further demonstrates its strategic capital and ability to affect supply chains across the world. Even before the announcement of the latest curbs, shipments of rare earth magnets to the US fell 28.7 per cent month on month in September.

March 24, 2025 

Prior to going into mining in unexplored part of the world:

1. We need immediate research and development to improve the existing technologies.

2. Build refineries in the existing mines with infrastructure using developed technologies.

3. Take the price control of the Rare Earth Elements by tariffs or other means until the local refineries optimize the refining processes and operating cost.

We do not want to send the concentrate to another country to do final refining.

https://nanthavictor.com/?s=why+greenland

Read more at: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3330347/us-has-woken-chinas-rare-earth-challenge-too-late

Development of new reactor will expand processing capacity, enable processing of alternative feedstocks.

The reactor in operation currently has been operating since 1973,

Vale Base Metals (VBM) has been awarded $500,000 in provincial funding to advance a refining process used in nickel production at its Copper Cliff refinery.

Provided by the Ontario Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF), the money will go toward research and development of a next-generation carbonyl reactor, which is used to produce “one of the purest forms of nickel available,” according to the company.

“Carbonyl-refined nickel is used for the most demanding applications in aerospace, defence, and electronics for our key critical mineral clients looking for secure and reliable supply chains. We are grateful to the CMIF for their generous support as we take the carbonyl process to the next stage in its evolution.”

Pioneered by Vale more than 100 years ago, carbonyl refining is described as a complex process that’s still used by only a “handful” of companies today.

Read more at: https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/provincial-funds-will-support-vale-base-metals-carbonyl-refining-project-11386421

LONDON/BERLIN, Oct 21 (Reuters) – Global automakers are scouring the globe for crucial rare earths ahead of looming Chinese export controls, with executives worried they could lead to parts shortages and plant closures.

Rare earth magnets power motors in car parts such as side mirrors, speakers, oil pumps, windshield wipers and fuel leakage and braking sensors. They play an even bigger role in EVs.

While a U.S.-China deal diverted a supply threat, stockpiles were depleted by similar restrictions earlier this year, while Beijing has also made it harder to get export licenses.

China has since dramatically expanded export curbs, with companies facing global supply shortages.

Consultancy AlixPartners estimates China controls up to 70% of global rare-earths mining, 85% of refining capacity and about 90% of rare-earths metal alloy and magnet production.

The new Chinese export control list includes elements like ytterbium, holmium and europium, also used in making cars.

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/concerned-carmakers-race-beat-chinas-rare-earths-deadline-2025-10-21/

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to the White House Monday offering cheaper access to the continent’s rare earth minerals and an invitation to visit to play golf. President Donald Trump gifted his fellow world leader a pledge to not only honor a Biden-era agreement on nuclear-powered submarines, but speed up production in an effort to boost allied naval power in the Pacific.

China’s influence loomed over both deals, as well as Albanese’s entire visit. Over the course of the meeting in the Cabinet Room, the longstanding alliance between Australia and the U.S. seemed bolstered as both countries made moves to counter Beijing’s creeping influence over the Pacific and China’s dominance of the raw materials used in new technologies.

Read more at: https://time.com/7327042/trump-australia-rare-earth-minerals-china/

A U.S. metals company signed a $500 million investment deal with Pakistan on Monday.

Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization — which is the country’s largest miner of critical minerals — signed a memorandum of understanding with Missouri-based U.S. Strategic Metals for collaboration plans that include setting up a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan.

Read more at: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/u-s-firm-agrees-500-million-investment-deal-with-pakistan-for-critical-minerals/