美国陷入“稀土饥饿”，五角大楼开启“独食”冶炼模式

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. is shifting from reliance on international trade for rare earth elements to a more self-sufficient model, driven by national security concerns and the need to secure its defense supply chain [3][6][10] Group 1: Importance of Rare Earth Elements - Rare earth elements play a critical role in modern industrial systems, particularly in defense technology, being essential for advanced military equipment such as radar and engines [1] - The U.S. has historically depended on foreign sources for rare earth supplies, a situation exacerbated by the uneven global distribution of these resources [3] Group 2: U.S. Defense Department's Strategy - The Pentagon has begun direct involvement in rare earth refining, utilizing military facilities to secure critical minerals [3][7] - A significant strategic shift occurred with the Trump administration's executive order allowing the construction of rare earth refineries on federal and military lands [6] - The Pentagon's demand for rare earth magnets is projected to require 3,000 to 4,000 tons annually, potentially exceeding 10,000 tons by 2030 [6] Group 3: Partnerships and Investments - The U.S. Department of Defense has formed a deep partnership with MP Materials, the only operating rare earth mining company in the U.S., investing $400 million to become the largest shareholder [6][10] - MP Materials plans to build a magnet factory in the U.S. with a capacity of 10,000 tons, aiming to meet the entire defense sector's needs [6] Group 4: Environmental and Operational Challenges - The Pentagon's "self-sufficient" strategy has raised environmental concerns, with 141 sites under regulatory scrutiny for potential soil and water pollution [8] - Despite investments in pollution control and third-party audits, criticism persists regarding the environmental impact of the refining process [8] Group 5: Efficiency Improvements - The Pentagon has invested $540 million to enhance refining processes, achieving a 30% reduction in energy consumption and a 20% increase in refining efficiency [10] - The introduction of AI and satellite exploration aims to improve resource prediction accuracy, with over 90% recovery rates from recycled materials [10] Group 6: Future Outlook - The U.S. is expected to continue developing its rare earth supply chain, balancing self-sufficiency with external pressures until a fully established system is in place by 2027 [10]