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西方主要矿企CEO:中国有技术有专长,就应该继续主导稀土行业
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-25 08:00

Core Viewpoint - The central theme of the conference in Toronto was focused on building a supply chain that does not rely on China for rare earth materials [1] Group 1: Industry Perspectives - Rahim Suleman, CEO of Neo Performance Materials, expressed disagreement with the conference's theme, stating that China should continue to play a dominant role in the global rare earth supply chain due to its technological expertise and competitive advantages [2][3] - Suleman highlighted the complexity of the rare earth supply chain, which includes mining, refining, and magnet manufacturing, with China controlling 91% of rare earth refining, 87% of oxide separation, and 94% of magnet production globally [2] - He emphasized that replacing China in the rare earth sector is challenging, as China offers lower prices and meets specific customer needs effectively [3] Group 2: Company Developments - Neo Performance Materials operates in the chemical and metal sectors, with production facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America, and has recently invested $75 million to establish a magnet factory in Estonia, which is expected to meet the demand for magnet components for up to 1 million vehicles annually [5] - The Estonian factory primarily produces neodymium magnets, which are included in China's export control list, highlighting the geopolitical implications of rare earth supply chains [5] - Neo is positioned to be the first Western company to achieve mass production of rare earth materials, which has garnered positive attention from Canada and the EU [5] Group 3: Geopolitical Context - The G7 and EU are considering setting a price floor for rare earths and imposing tariffs on certain Chinese rare earth exports as part of their strategy to enhance local production and reduce reliance on China [6] - There are ongoing discussions within the G7 regarding increasing regulatory scrutiny on foreign investments in critical minerals, with some members advocating for geographical restrictions on sourcing rare earths [6] - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that its policies on rare earths align with international norms and expressed willingness to engage in dialogue to maintain global supply chain stability [6]