中美俄稀土储量差距断崖：美国180万吨，俄1000万吨，中国多少？

Core Viewpoint - Rare earth resources play a critical role in global technological competition, with China's significant reserves and advanced technology providing it a dominant position in this sector [2][20]. Group 1: Resource Distribution and Comparison - China holds 44 million tons of rare earth reserves, far exceeding other countries, which enhances its strategic autonomy [2][20]. - The United States has approximately 1.9 million tons of rare earth reserves, accounting for less than 2% of global supply, with mining concentrated in the western regions [4][21]. - Russia's reserves are reported to be over 10 million tons domestically, but only 3.8 million tons by international standards, highlighting discrepancies in exploration methods [4][6]. Group 2: Production and Technological Capabilities - China is projected to produce 270,000 tons of rare earths in 2024, representing 70% of global output, supported by an efficient production system [8][10]. - The U.S. production is around 40,000 tons, heavily reliant on a single mining operation, while Russia's output is less than 20,000 tons due to outdated processing technologies [8][10]. - China leads in separation and purification technologies, achieving over 90% recovery rates, significantly higher than the U.S. and Russia [10][12]. Group 3: Economic and Strategic Implications - China's 44 million tons of reserves support rapid development in sectors like semiconductors and wind power, contributing to stable export growth [14][20]. - The U.S. faces limitations in military autonomy due to its 1.9 million tons of reserves, necessitating imports to meet domestic needs [14][21]. - Russia's potential could enhance its export competitiveness if its reserves are developed effectively, despite current low output levels [14][21]. Group 4: Industry Resilience and Future Outlook - China has established a closed-loop system from ore extraction to end products, covering 98% of global gallium and 60% of germanium production, ensuring supply chain security [16][18]. - The U.S. has a fragmented supply chain with high outsourcing in refining, while Russia is stagnant in basic extraction [16][18]. - Looking ahead, China aims to maintain high production levels by 2030, while the U.S. plans to invest in domestic mines to improve self-sufficiency, facing financial and technical challenges [18][20].