American Resources seizes the moment as US doubles down on rare earth independence

Industry Overview - The global competition for critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements, is intensifying due to rising geopolitical tensions between the US and China [1] - The US is heavily reliant on China, which controls over 90% of the world's rare earth refining capacity, exposing vulnerabilities in the US supply chain [3][2] - Recent export controls imposed by Beijing on rare earth elements have highlighted the urgency for the US to develop its own supply chain [2] Company Strategy - American Resources Corp is positioning itself as a key player in the US rare earths market, focusing on innovation in mining, refining, and downstream manufacturing [3][12] - The company operates a vertically integrated business model, controlling over 30,000 acres of rare-earth-rich land and utilizing a proprietary refining method that is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods [7][8] - American Resources has established a network of subsidiaries and partnerships, including a commitment to build a $100 million refining facility in Africa and a $150 million letter of interest from the US Export-Import Bank for domestic expansion [9][10] Market Positioning - The company aims to challenge China's dominance in rare earth pricing by developing a decentralized, AI-driven pricing platform to enhance market transparency and efficiency [11] - American Resources focuses on lesser-known but strategically important materials, such as samarium, cobalt, and germanium, which are essential for defense applications [10] - The company plans to announce new partnerships and key customers in the coming months, expanding its footprint in both commercial and defense markets [12][13]