5. WEB Rare earths & critical minerals

What are Rare Earth Elements?

A group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements crucial for modern technologies.

Are rare earths actually rare?

Not always geologically, but they are rarely found in concentrated and economically viable deposits.

Why are rare earths strategically important?

They are essential for clean tech, electronics, magnets, missiles, radar, drones and advanced military systems

Why is China dominant in rare earths?

China controls large parts of mining, refining, separation and magnet manufacturing.

What is the rare earth bottleneck?

A supply-chain vulnerability caused by dependence on a few countries or firms for critical minerals and processing.

How does the energy transition create new dependencies?

It reduces fossil fuel dependence but increases dependence on lithium, cobalt, rare earths and other critical minerals.

Why are rare earths relevant for war?

Advanced weapons, sensors, aircraft, missiles and communications systems require critical minerals.