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Breaking China’s Grip: The Race to Reindustrialize and Secure Critical Minerals in the United…
- The United States aims to reindustrialize and compete with China in critical sectors by securing a domestic supply of rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals.
- China strategically expanded rare earth elements production in the late 1980s, leading to a global dominance in extraction and refining capacity.
- China currently controls 60% of global rare earth extraction and 85% of refining capacity, while the U.S. relies heavily on China for processing.
- To reduce dependence on China, the U.S. government has begun investing in rebuilding domestic rare earth refining capacity.
- Innovative approaches include extracting REEs from mining waste, recycling from end-of-life products, AI-driven exploration for deposit discovery, and developing alternative materials.
- Companies like Phoenix Tailings are extracting rare earth elements from coal waste, while startups focus on recycling technologies and AI-driven mineral exploration.
- AI and ML technologies are revolutionizing mineral exploration, improving efficiency in rare earth element discovery and extraction processes.
- Companies like KoBold Metals and Earth AI are leveraging AI for resource discovery, while Niron Magnetics is developing rare-earth-free permanent magnets.
- Securing a stable supply of rare earth elements is crucial for U.S. economic resilience and national security, emphasizing the need for technological innovation and reduced dependence on foreign supply chains.
- By embracing advancements like REE recycling and alternative materials development, the U.S. can strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and lead in critical materials innovation.
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