Sage-Tips

How much rare earth does US import from China?

In 2019, China was responsible for 80\% of rare earths imports, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, although exports fell last year in part due to Covid-19.

Why does China limit its exports of rare earth minerals?

China may ban the export of rare-earths refining technology to countries or companies it deems as a threat on state security concerns, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Chinese government is currently conducting a review of its rare-earths policy.

What are the problems associated with rare earth metals?

The chief worry is that the rare earth elements are bound up in mineral deposits with the low-level radioactive element thorium, exposure to which has been linked to an increased risk of developing lung, pancreatic, and other cancers.

Why are rare earth metals important?

“Rare-earth elements (REE) are necessary components of more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially high-tech consumer products, such as cellular telephones, computer hard drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, and flat-screen monitors and televisions.

Does China pose a threat to global rare earth supply chains?

China’s share of global mining production has slipped as a result, from a high of 97.7 percent in 2010 to 62.9 percent in 2019 – the lowest point since 1995. China’s share of global rare earth reserves has likewise fallen from 50 percent to 36.7 percent over the same period.

What is the main reasoning driving China’s policies on rare earths?

Chinese academics suggest that China’s actions on rare earths are guided by a combination of domestic demand, environmental concerns, social upheaval, the need to curb illegal smuggling and mining activities, and the desire to abide by international trade regulations, rather than resource nationalism (Hao and Liu 2011) …

Who controls most of the rare earth minerals?

China
China provides more than 85 per cent of the world’s rare earths and is home to about two-thirds of the global supply of scarce metals and minerals like antimony and baryte, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

How does Rare-earth mining affect the environment?

Second, the process can have enormous environmental impacts. Mining for rare earth minerals generates large volumes of toxic and radioactive material, due to the co-extraction of thorium and uranium — radioactive metals which can cause problems for the environment and human health.

Does China still produce rare earth metals?

As of 2019, China still produced roughly 85 percent of the world’s rare earth oxides and approximately 90 percent of rare earth metals, alloys, and permanent magnets. While successful, Beijing’s policies put China in the crosshairs of major rare earth importers.

Is China weaponizing rare earth resources?

But the possibility of China weaponizing REEs was now recognized. Within weeks, Japanese experts were visiting countries with other significant rare earth resources, such as Mongolia, Vietnam, and Australia, to make inquiries. By November 2010, Japan had reached a tentative long-term supply agreement with Australia’s Lynas Group.

Which countries import the most rare earths from China?

Alongside the Netherlands (9.6 percent), South Korea (5.4 percent), and Italy (3.5 percent), these five countries imported a combined 87.8 percent of China’s rare earth exports. At 42.6 percent of total exports by volume, lanthanum was China’s top rare earth export by a wide margin.

How much rare earth do you need to build a supply chain?

To cite just two examples, every F-35 fighter jet requires 920 pounds of rare earth, and each Virginia-class submarine needs ten times that amount. Warnings notwithstanding, efforts to establish an REE supply chain that does not include China continue. However, the process is more difficult than simple extraction.