美国稀土多到用不完，为什么还得从中国买？

Core Insights - The article discusses China's dominance in the rare earth industry, highlighting its significant reserves and advanced technology in extraction and refining processes [1][9][44] - It emphasizes that while China has the largest rare earth reserves, accounting for 33.8% of global reserves, its technological superiority in the entire industry chain is what truly sets it apart [1][12][44] Group 1: Rare Earth Importance and Characteristics - Rare earth elements consist of 17 elements, including 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, and are not actually "rare" in terms of abundance [3][5] - The term "rare earth" arises from their difficulty in extraction and purification, despite their relative abundance in the Earth's crust [5][7] Group 2: Historical Context of China's Rare Earth Industry - Initially, the U.S. dominated the rare earth market until regulatory changes in the 1980s led to a decline in its production capabilities [11][12] - By the late 1990s, China had significantly advanced its rare earth extraction technologies, overtaking the U.S. in production [29][34] Group 3: Technological Advancements - The development of the "new cascade extraction method" by Xu Guangxian in the 1970s revolutionized China's rare earth extraction capabilities, allowing for higher purity and efficiency [25][27] - China's rare earth extraction technology has evolved to include digital design processes, enabling rapid scaling from laboratory to industrial production [29][34] Group 4: Industry Growth and Challenges - From 2000 onwards, China produced over 85% of the world's rare earth minerals and 95% of the refining products, establishing a dominant position in the global market [44] - The rapid growth of the industry led to environmental concerns and unsustainable practices, prompting government intervention to regulate and promote sustainable practices [32][39] Group 5: Current Industry Structure and Future Outlook - The consolidation of China's rare earth industry into a few major groups has strengthened its position, allowing for better control over the entire supply chain [36][38] - Despite advancements, there are ongoing challenges from international competitors, and the potential for future collaboration in the rare earth sector remains [46]