42 h. ago China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time

Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the commercial extraction of the critical metal rubidium directly from salt lake brine, potentially slashing dependence on imports – mostly from Canada – that now supply two-thirds of China’s needs. This industrial-scale method produces ultra-pure rubidium chloride from ultra-low concentrations, offering a new domestic source for this strategically vital material. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)...

Politics

55 h. ago Crypto, China, critical minerals: inside Pakistan army chief’s US visit

Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, was set to arrive in Washington on Thursday, three weeks after his country’s flare-up with neighbouring, nuclear-armed rival India. Munir will stay in the US until June 18 and is expected to attend the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14 in the nation’s capital – a day that coincides with US President Donald Trump’s birthday, according to three people familiar with the matter. The Pakistani general is likely during his visit to travel to...

Politics

57 h. ago Critical mineral industries in China’s far west using Uyghur forced labor: report

Critical mineral industries in China’s far west using Uyghur forced labor: report  Radio Free Asia

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Making a dent’: race is on to reap rare earths elsewhere amid China’s dominance

Beijing’s imposition of rare earth export restrictions from April – playing its trump card in the face of Washington’s intensifying tariffs and tech curbs – helped send a message to Washington ahead of this week’s discussions over bilateral export-control issues. Considered a trump card because rare earths have an outsized impact on auto, electronics and defence industries, and China dominates the supply chain, the trade in such critical minerals is widely expected to be among the key topics...

Politics

5 d. ago Ahead of US trade talks, China’s rare earth trade data from May sends a message

In a reflection of Beijing’s ability to quickly leverage its dominance over the critical-mineral supply chain, the value of rare earth elements exported by China last month plunged by nearly half compared with a year prior. The official data came as analysts have been saying that China’s export controls over large quantities of critical minerals are like the ultimate trump card in trade negotiations with the United States. The world’s second-largest economy exported rare earth elements worth...

Politics

8 d. ago The China Challenge in Critical Minerals: The Case for Asymmetric Resilience

The China Challenge in Critical Minerals: The Case for Asymmetric Resilience  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Politics

1 week ago Global alarm as China's critical mineral export curbs take hold

Global alarm as China's critical mineral export curbs take hold  Reuters

Events

1 week ago How is China ramping up controls on critical mineral exports amid row with US?

Parts of China that are rich in critical minerals are stepping up enforcement of tighter export controls as the country doubles down on its dominance of world supplies in the face of increasing pressure from the United States. China, the world’s biggest producer of critical minerals, supplies 92 per cent of the refined rare earth elements that are essential in the production of consumer electronics, electric vehicles and hi-tech defence systems. Its export controls mean companies must obtain...

Politics

1 week ago Global alarms rise as China's critical mineral export curbs take hold

Global alarms rise as China's critical mineral export curbs take hold  Reuters

Events

1 week ago Global Alarms Rise as China's Critical Mineral Export Ban Takes Hold

Global Alarms Rise as China's Critical Mineral Export Ban Takes Hold  U.S. News & World Report

Events

1 week ago How dependent is America’s arsenal on China’s critical mineral supply?

The US defence sector is dependent on critical minerals for its advanced weapon systems, but it has relied on China to meet its demands. As Beijing tightens export restrictions, there is a growing risk to the Pentagon’s military readiness and supply chain security. The big picture China dominates the global supply of rare earths, including more than 90 per cent of the world’s processing and refining. It also has an edge in most other critical minerals, such as refined gallium, of which it...

Politics

3 w. ago How critical minerals became Beijing’s ultimate trump card in US

Beijing is still tightening its grip over supplies of rare earths and other key minerals despite the tariff truce, allowing it to cut off US access at will.

Politics

3 w. ago How critical minerals became China’s ultimate trump card in the trade war

How critical minerals became China’s ultimate trump card in the trade war  South China Morning Post

Politics