Is it Data Real for EFG?, Must readRare Earths Pre-Curser To Other Metal Shortages Dominated By China Production
By Larry W. Reaugh
Rare Earths Metals
China has been cutting exports of rare earth metals for several years and the threat of further reductions in rare earths could compromise the growth of the green economy. The western world is on notice that their reliance on China is coming to an end. As China builds out its own economy and requires more and more metals including rare earths one must assume those days are not too distant when strategic metals will no longer be available for export. Not that China is trying to squeeze the West, but will no longer have the capacity to meet their own needs. The US Government has addressed the situation by providing incentives for industry (Restart Bill) to locate and develop their own resources of rare metals. In the U.S. the time it takes to permit and construct new developments may not coincide with the closing of the door to export from China. This will create a desperate scenario for crucial sectors of our economic advancement.
Are rare earths the only segment which could become affected if China’s need for metal continues to grow? There are other strategic metals that are controlled by China that should also raise alarm bells with the rest of the world and could affect our standard of living, progression of manufacturing, the military and economy as a whole.