Rare earth industry in China
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The rare earth industry in China is a large industry. Rare earths are a group of elements on the periodic table with similar properties. Rare earth metals are used to manufacture everything from electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, consumer electronics and other clean energy technologies.[1] The rare earths cause improved system performance when for example electric battery terminal LiMn2O4 cathodes are doped with them,[2] and it is known that some EVs use lithium-ion batteries such as these.[3] Tesla automobiles "currently uses an lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) chemistry, while lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistries are common across the rest of the EV industry." Vehicle "manufacturers are keen to reduce reliance on rare earths, which like cobalt, suffers from highly concentrated supply and unpredictable pricing, with China holding a virtual global monopoly in primary supply and processing."[4] Leading battery manufacturer Samsung SDI uses this technology for its phone and portable computer batteries.[5]
This article needs to be updated. (January 2021) |
The elements are also important to national governments because they are used in the defense industry.[6] Twenty percent of rare earth demands are for use as permanent magnets.[6] Permanent magnets can be used for a variety of applications including serving as essential components of weapons systems and high performance aircraft.[6]
Rare earths are found in various minerals such as monazite and bastnasite.[7] They are dispersed in low concentrations and are costly to extract from ore.[8] Major reserves in the world exist in China, California (USA), India, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and Malaysia.[7] However, China accounts for over 95 percent of the world's production of rare earths.[9] Therefore, having control of these elements puts China at a powerful position.
It is estimated the world has 99 million tonnes of rare earth reserve deposits.[10] China's reserves are estimated to be 36 million tonnes or roughly 30 percent of the world's total reserves.[10]