The Rare Earth Puzzle: What They Are and How China Took Control of the World’s Supply

The Rare Earth Puzzle: What They Are and How China Took Control of the World’s Supply

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) may not be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but they are quite literally powering the world around us. From smartphones to satellites, electric vehicles to medical scanners, these 17 metals are critical to modern life — and increasingly, to national security and economic independence. But while these elements are vital, the global supply chain behind them tells a cautionary tale. Continue reading The Rare Earth Puzzle:…

Why 2025 Was Crucial for Rare Earth Supply Chains

Rarely a week went by in 2025 without some newsworthy development related to rare earth elements, magnets, and electric motors. IEEE Spectrum was on top of the big ones, starting with the production of industrial quantities of the rare-earth oxides of neodymium and praseodymium at the Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities in California’s Mojave desert.Between 1965 and the mid 1980s, the Mountain Pass mine produced as much as 70 percent of…