稀土产量全球第二？挖在美国，炼在中国，为摆脱依赖下了血本！

Core Insights - The control of critical minerals essential for modern technology, such as rare earth elements, graphite, and germanium, is predominantly in China's hands, posing a strategic challenge for the U.S. [1][2] Group 1: Mineral Dependency and Refining Challenges - The U.S. relies heavily on China for the refining of critical minerals, with China dominating the refining process for 31 out of 50 key minerals listed by the U.S. Geological Survey [2] - Despite having the second-largest rare earth mine, the U.S. must ship its raw materials to China for processing, highlighting a significant gap in domestic refining capabilities [2][4] - The U.S. has attempted to support domestic refining projects, such as a rare earth refinery in Nevada, but has faced delays due to a lack of core separation technology [4][7] Group 2: Impact of Export Restrictions and Tariffs - China's export restrictions on unrefined germanium have directly impacted U.S. semiconductor production, leading to a temporary shutdown of some production lines [6] - The U.S. has responded to these challenges by imposing tariffs on various minerals, but this has resulted in increased costs for American companies, such as Ford, which saw a $30 increase in battery costs due to tariffs on graphite [6][9] - The U.S. is also highly dependent on certain minerals, like antimony, which is critical for armor-piercing ammunition, complicating the imposition of tariffs [6] Group 3: Long-Term Strategies and Alternatives - The U.S. Department of Defense has invested significantly in domestic projects, with $439 million allocated over four years, but projects face environmental and regulatory hurdles [7] - The timeline for establishing new mining operations in the U.S. is lengthy, with some projects taking over a decade to receive necessary permits, while Chinese facilities can be operational in just 18 months [8][9] - Efforts to develop alternative materials, such as non-rare earth motors and sodium-ion batteries, are still in experimental stages and have not yet proven viable for high-end applications [8][9] Group 4: International Collaboration and Supply Chain Issues - The U.S. is seeking to build a "mineral security partnership" with allies, but countries like Australia and Canada are hesitant to invest in refining capabilities due to their own economic considerations [9] - The competition for critical minerals is a long-term strategic issue, with no immediate resolution in sight for the U.S. [9]