Magnet Wars: How the U.S. Plans to Break China’s Grip on Rare Earths

The struggle for geopolitical supremacy is rapidly becoming a struggle over one critical resource – rare earth magnets. They will determine whether the United States can build military equipment at scale, whether weapons can be replaced as fast as they are used, and whether industry can keep pace with demand across an economy measured in the tens of trillions of …

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Why has Zimbabwe banned lithium export?

The largest lithium producer in Africa, Zimbabwe has suspended all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports after the government alleged malpractices and leakages, raising concerns about stability of supply. Zimbabwe on Wednesday suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect after the government alleged malpractices and leakages. The country’s mines ministry said the ban on exports …

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Critical minerals need reliable financing frameworks

In critical minerals policy, one of the costliest things we can say is ‘we signed a memorandum of understanding’. Public announcements can signal intent, but they don’t build processing plants, turn ore into usable materials or keep factories running when supply is tight. What must change is how projects in the middle of the supply chain are funded and backed. …

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