美国从废料中发现千万吨稀土，且掌握提取工艺，中国限制还有用吗

Core Insights - The competition for rare earth elements, dubbed the "modern industrial vitamin," is intensifying globally, with the U.S. recently announcing the discovery of over 10 million tons of rare earth resources from coal ash and claiming to have mastered extraction techniques [1][3] - While the U.S. discovery appears significant, the complexity and cost of extracting rare earth elements from ores or waste materials pose substantial challenges, making large-scale commercialization a distant goal [1][3] - China maintains a dominant position in the rare earth sector, not only due to resource reserves but also through its comprehensive control over the entire industry chain, contributing over 90% of rare earth refining despite holding less than 60% of global reserves [3][5] Industry Analysis - The U.S. initiative to extract rare earths from coal ash represents a clever attempt at waste utilization, but it faces hurdles in extraction efficiency and requires significant investment and time to develop a complete supply chain [3][5] - Environmental considerations complicate the extraction process, as the high demands of rare earth refining and the costs associated with handling toxic substances in coal ash make the U.S. discovery seem more theoretical than practical [3][5] - The ongoing competition in the rare earth sector is not merely about resources but also reflects a broader contest of national strength, emphasizing the need for continuous technological innovation and industrial upgrades to maintain leadership in the global market [5][7]