Rare Earth Dominance by China started slow but grew strong over 60 years turning the country into the top player in mining processing and supply of these key minerals for tech batteries and green energy. This Rare Earth Dominance came from smart government plans low costs and big mines like Bayan Obo discovered in 1927 but really developed after 1950s. Rare Earth Control let China control over 60 percent production and 90 percent processing by 2025 using it as trade tool and pressure card on other countries.
The story began early but Rare Earth control picked up in 1980s when China ramped up output while others like US cut back due to environment rules and cheap imports. Rare Earth Dominance now sees China hold sway in global supply chains for phones cars wind turbines and military gear.
Historical Beginnings Of Rare Earth control
Rare Earth Dominance roots go back to 1927 when Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia found but real work started post-World War II under communist rule. In 1950s China focused heavy industry minerals key for that. Rare Earth control early days small production mostly local use no big export.
By 1970s research grew institutes study separate elements hard process. Rare Earth control shift 1980s Deng Xiaoping reforms open economy low wages lax environment rules let mines grow fast cheap.
US Australia others produce but China undercut prices dominate market quick. Rare Earth control China 30 percent 1985 jump 97 percent 2010 peak.
Government support big subsidies research state companies lead way.
Rise In Production And Rare Earth control
1980s 1990s China invest heavy mines processing plants. Rare Earth control from low cost labor no strict pollution control others face high expense clean.
Bayan Obo became world largest mine produce half China output. Rare Earth control expand other mines Jiangxi Guangdong south rare earths heavy types.
Export boom China supply cheap world rely heavy. Rare Earth control let close competitors like US Mountain Pass mine shut 2002 no compete price.
Quota 2010 cut export raise prices show control use leverage Japan dispute Senkaku islands. Rare Earth Dominance WTO rule against quota 2014 but processing hold strong.
Consolidation And Control In Rare Earth control
2010s China consolidate companies state giants like China Northern Rare Earth Group dominate. Rare Earth Dominance merger 2021 three big into China Rare Earth Group control 30 percent production.
Government crack illegal mines pollution cut but keep supply tight. Rare Earth Dominance processing 90 percent global even if mine 60 percent others send ore China refine.
Stockpile strategic reserves use buffer or tool. Rare Earth control export bans some tech 2023 gallium germanium chip key show pressure card.
Use As Weapon And Pressure In Rare Earth Dominance
Rare Earth control became trade weapon 2010 Japan cut supply short spark panic search alternatives. US EU start own mines but slow expensive.
2025 China use control counter tariffs restrict export US firms key minerals EVs batteries. Rare Earth Dominance pressure force negotiate or diversify slow.
Africa mines grow but China invest heavy own many process home. Rare Earth control global south ties deep no strings loans for access.
Military tech radars magnets missiles rely rare earths control strategic edge.
Current Status And Future Rare Earth control
2025 China 240,000 tonnes mine 70 percent process 90 percent reserves 44 million tonnes big. Rare Earth control hold despite US Inflation Reduction Act push own supply Australia Lynas grow but small.
Future Rare Earth Dominance China lead 2040 least others catch slow cost high. Recycle urban mining new but early.
Challenge environment damage mines pollution China clean some but legacy big.
In end Rare Earth control China 60 years story smart plan invest when others no.
Low cost state support big mines key.
Rare Earth control now pressure card trade wars.
World diversify but depend high still.
China Rare Earth control lesson minerals strategic no random.
Many worry rely one country risk.
Worth watch 2026 more turns.
Rare Earth control China strong hold.
Read Also: What Strategic Turns Happened In 2025?
Future alternatives grow slow.
Rare Earth control story not end.
