Germanium Prices Soar to 14-Year High

Group 1: Market Dynamics - The price of germanium has surged to $5,000 per kilogram, five times higher than the $1,000 per kg price in early 2023, marking a 14-year high [2] - The supply crunch from China has led to panic among customers seeking germanium, significantly impacting supply chains for Western military systems [1][2] Group 2: Geopolitical Context - China dominates the global market for critical minerals, creating dependency for Western defense manufacturers amid strained bilateral relations [3] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that concentrated supply and China's export controls increase the risk of "painful disruptions" in the market [3] Group 3: Industry Responses - Lockheed Martin has signed a strategic deal with Korea Zinc to procure germanium smelted outside of China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia, ensuring priority rights for procurement [5] - Nyrstar, a subsidiary of Trafigura, is evaluating a project to build a germanium and gallium recovery and processing facility in Tennessee, the only primary zinc producer in the U.S. [6]