12月30日，记者从白云鄂博稀土资源研究与综合利用全国重点实验室获悉，我国科学家在内蒙古自治区 包头市白云鄂博矿区发现两种富铌新矿物——作霖铌矿、宏瑞矿，近日经国际矿物学协会新矿物命名与 分类专业委员会评审并获得正式批准命名。这是此矿区截至2025年12月底发现并命名的第26和第27个新 矿物。 显微镜下，与磁铁矿、铌铁矿、镁橄榄石和赤铁矿等矿物共生的作霖铌矿背散射图像。（受访单位供 图） 作霖铌矿，产于白云鄂博矿区含矿白云岩中，呈黄褐色至褐色，玻璃光泽，板状，自形，粒度约为20至 40微米，密度为5.538克/立方厘米，是一种以钡、锶和铌为主要成分的全新化学成分金属氧化物类矿 物，铌氧化物含量达52.9%。此矿物以中国科学院院士、原中国科学院地质研究所研究员何作霖命名。 1934年，何先生首次在白云鄂博矿石样品中发现两种稀土矿物——氟碳铈矿和独居石。以在白云鄂博矿 发现的新矿物为其命名，既是对何先生学术贡献的崇高致敬，也象征着我国稀土科学研究精神的接续与 传承。 这是白云鄂博矿区碳酸岩体。（受访单位供图） 宏瑞矿，产于白云鄂博矿区的火成碳酸岩脉中，呈红褐色，玻璃光泽，板状，粒度约10至30微米，密度 为4. ...

166吨战略资源险些外流，96吨被追回！ "有期徒刑十二年！" 2025年12月16日下午，广东省深圳市中级人民法院内，审判长的声音掷地有声。被告席上，主犯王武彬 面如死灰，双腿发软。 166吨！整整166吨锑锭，差点就被这帮人偷运出境了。 你可能要问了：锑是什么东西？值得国家这么大动静？ 12月16日至18日，三天之内连发三条重磅消息：深圳法院宣判27人走私166吨锑锭大案，96吨被成功追 回；商务部宣布已批准部分稀土出口通用许可； 与此同时，美方刚启动111亿美元军售，美国农业部就发现一笔13.2万吨的对华小麦订单被取消。 这么说吧，锑这玩意儿，美国人做梦都想要。 它是制造热成像仪的关键材料，更是半导体产业离不开的"工业味精"。 2024年8月，商务部、海关总署联合发布公告，把锑列入出口管制清单。说白了，国家已经明确表态： 这东西，不是你想卖就能卖的。 可偏偏有人不信邪。 根据深圳中院披露的案情，2025年2月到3月，短短两个月时间，王武彬就与境外走私团伙勾结，组织了 一条完整的走私链条。 他们的手段有多狡猾？ 第一招：夹藏伪装。把锑锭藏在正常货物里，外面套上合法包装，海关不仔细查根本发现不了。 第二招： ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is increasingly acting like an investment bank by acquiring stakes in key mineral companies, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly China, for critical minerals [2][3][8]. Group 1: Investment in Key Minerals - The DoD will invest $7.4 billion to build a smelter in Tennessee in partnership with Korea Zinc, acquiring a 40% stake and becoming the largest shareholder [1]. - The smelter is expected to produce approximately 540,000 tons annually, and Korea Zinc will sell $1.9 billion worth of new shares to the U.S. government and a joint venture controlled by U.S. strategic investors [1]. - The DoD has previously invested $400 million for a 15% stake in MP Materials, the only operating rare earth mine in the U.S., and plans to acquire 10% of Intel [1][3]. Group 2: Legislative Background - The recent acquisitions stem from the "Big and Beautiful" Act, which aims to reshape U.S. industry by increasing debt by approximately $4.1 trillion over ten years through cuts in public healthcare and green industry subsidies [3]. - The Act provides the DoD's Strategic Capital Office with $500 million in credit subsidies, creating up to $100 billion in available loan funds for critical mineral production and related projects [3]. Group 3: Strategic Shift - The Strategic Capital Office, led by Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve VanBeurden, is shifting its investment strategy from mid-term investments to a model that includes controlling stakes in key industries, reflecting concerns over supply chain stability [3][5]. - The DoD's entry into the Korean smelter market marks its first role as a government shareholder in a foreign critical mineral enterprise, indicating a significant strategic shift [5]. Group 4: Broader Implications - The DoD's actions are part of a broader strategy to establish new strategic supply chains outside of China, as indicated by the White House's commitment to ending U.S. dependence on foreign critical minerals [8]. - However, there are challenges, such as opposition from Korea Zinc's major shareholders against the dilution of their stakes, and the fact that South Korea also relies heavily on Chinese mineral supplies [8][6]. - Despite the ambitious plans, experts suggest that the U.S. may not resolve the technical challenges of rare earth refining within the next decade [8].

澳大利亚稀土产业正迎来前所未有的国际投资热潮。美澳关键矿产供应协议签署后，澳大利亚多个矿产 项目受到美国、欧洲资本的密集关注，股价飙升。一时间，澳大利亚被推向了全球稀土竞争的中心舞 台。然而，资本聚光灯下的澳稀土产业也暴露出不少竞争力隐忧。行业专家告诉《环球时报》记者，部 分西方国家想借投资澳关键矿产资源实现全球稀土供应链格局的重塑，但要完成这一目标，澳大利亚尚 需花费大量时间健全多方面产业要素。 澳大利亚"稀土宠儿"股价上涨3倍 今年以来，澳大利亚最大的稀土行业企业莱纳斯公司股价"坐上过山车"——从年初的不到5美元至10月 中旬已上涨3倍，此后又迅速滑落至10美元左右。据《西澳大利亚报》26日报道，莱纳斯公司高层在当 天举行的投资者年会上表示，尽管近期受到了澳大利亚西部地区停电的困扰，但公司正在加速开发新机 遇，并争取成为未来全球市场的领导者。报道认为，莱纳斯公司已经成为澳大利亚的"稀土宠儿"。 据美国消费者新闻与商业频道（CNBC）网站报道，10月21日，美澳两国签署了一项旨在加强稀土与其 他关键矿物供应的协议，此后莱纳斯公司便宣布一份价值85亿美元的美国矿产交易。报道援引美国智库 战略与国际问题研究中心 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent strategic shift of the U.S. under Trump's leadership, focusing on aggressive procurement actions to challenge China's dominance in the global rare earth market [1][3][5]. Group 1: U.S. Strategy and Actions - The U.S. has invested $465 million to acquire rare earth resources from Brazil, aiming to directly challenge China's leadership in the global rare earth market [1][5]. - Trump has rapidly repaired relations with Brazil, previously strained due to high tariffs, to secure rare earth minerals, which are crucial for various industries [3][5]. - The U.S. is engaging in a global purchasing spree for rare earths, regardless of the source, to ensure these resources do not fall into the hands of other countries [3][5]. Group 2: Brazil's Position and Response - Brazil holds the second-largest rare earth reserves globally, and there has been a historical desire to challenge China's market position [3][5]. - The Brazilian government, under President Lula, has shifted back to cooperating with the U.S. after a brief period of tension due to tariffs, indicating a strategic alignment against China [3][5]. - Brazilian agricultural exports have benefited from Chinese demand, highlighting the complex interdependencies in international trade [3][5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The $465 million investment is considered insufficient for the extensive costs associated with mining and processing rare earths, which can require hundreds of billions [5]. - Despite the U.S. efforts, there is an underlying anxiety about reliance on China for rare earth processing capabilities, as indicated by the U.S. Treasury Secretary's comments urging China to fulfill its export commitments [7][8]. - The article suggests that the U.S. may ultimately find itself dependent on China for rare earth materials, despite its aggressive procurement strategy [8].

Core Insights - Turkey has discovered a significant rare earth mineral deposit in the Beylikova region of Eskişehir province, with an estimated reserve of 694 million tons, making it the second-largest globally after China [1][3]. Group 1: Importance of Rare Earth Elements - Rare earth elements are crucial for various industries, including electric vehicle batteries, military equipment, and smartphone chips, highlighting Turkey's potential economic opportunity from this discovery [3]. - Turkey has a history in mining, primarily exporting boron minerals, and the discovery of rare earths is seen as a major economic boon [3]. Group 2: Processing and Technology Transfer - Turkey lacks experience in rare earth processing and has historically relied on imported refined products for domestic needs [5]. - A pilot project was initiated in mid-2023 to establish a small processing plant with a target of processing 12,000 tons of ore annually, aiming for a future capacity of 50,000 tons [5]. - Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has emphasized the need for foreign investment and technology to convert raw materials into high-value products [7]. Group 3: Negotiation Challenges - Negotiations for technology transfer began in spring 2024, with initial positive interactions leading to a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in mining, nuclear energy, and renewable energy [9]. - Turkey insists on technology equity in any partnership, particularly for building local processing facilities, while China is reluctant to share core separation technology [11][13]. - The actual value of the Turkish rare earth deposit has been questioned, with low oxide content and high extraction costs complicating negotiations [15]. Group 4: Shift in Strategy - Following stalled negotiations with China, Turkey is seeking partnerships with Western countries, including the U.S., to develop the Beylikova mine, focusing on technology transfer and local refining [26]. - Turkey's pivot towards the West is seen as a response to the failure of negotiations with China, with officials expressing the need for external assistance in developing the mine [26][31]. Group 5: Future Prospects - Turkey plans to establish a large processing facility by 2026, aiming to become one of the top five producers globally, although experts warn that without technology transfer, this goal may be difficult to achieve [29]. - The global mining landscape is shifting, with the U.S. and EU pushing for critical mineral partnerships, and Turkey's involvement could provide access to export credits and private investment [31]. - China's continued export controls and focus on maintaining its technological edge may limit Turkey's ability to capitalize on its rare earth resources effectively [33].

Core Insights - The U.S. is forming a "Critical Minerals Trading Club" with multiple countries to restructure supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources, aiming to dominate the AI and green industries [1][2][3] Group 1: Formation and Objectives of the Trading Club - The "Critical Minerals Trading Club" aims to be a core platform for Western countries to engage in the refining and processing of critical minerals, with the ultimate goal of leading the AI competition [2] - The club has already begun formation with participation from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand [2] - The initiative reflects a broader strategy among Western nations to fill gaps in internal mineral trade systems and promote industry expansion [2][3] Group 2: Current Market Dynamics - There is a significant surge in interest and investment in critical minerals like rare earths and lithium, leading to what is being termed a "rare earth rush" [1][6] - The U.S. and Australia are expected to see substantial growth in rare earth trade, with a projected 67% increase in trade volume in 2024 [6] - The Biden administration's support for domestic clean energy projects has already led to a rise in lithium-related stock prices, indicating a favorable market environment for critical minerals [6][7] Group 3: Challenges and Risks - The restructuring of supply chains faces challenges such as technological limitations, cost issues, and differing interests among member countries [1][2] - The U.S. still relies on traditional methods for processing rare earths, which may not meet the high-end industry demands, indicating a need for external technological support [3] - There are warnings about potential investment overheating in the critical minerals sector, with historical parallels drawn to past resource booms [9][10] Group 4: Geopolitical Implications - The U.S. aims to establish a supply chain independent of China, which currently holds a dominant position in the rare earth market, controlling over 90% of global refining capacity [3][10] - The formation of the trading club is seen as a strategic move to weaken China's influence in global supply chains [10][11] - The differing objectives among member countries, such as resource pricing and environmental standards, may complicate the club's effectiveness [10][11]

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights the intensifying strategic competition over critical minerals between the US and China, particularly in the context of recent agreements and export controls [1][3][6] - Australia and the US signed an $8.5 billion agreement to invest in core mineral projects, with both countries committing $1 billion each over the next six months [1] - The US is focusing on securing tungsten resources from Kazakhstan, with significant reserves that could position the country as a major player in the global tungsten market [1][3] Group 2 - China's recent announcement of export controls on 25 rare metal products, including ammonium paratungstate, is seen as a strategic move to maintain its dominance in critical mineral supply chains [3][6] - The US's reliance on China for rare earth processing and technology is highlighted, with China controlling over 85% of global rare earth refining capacity [3][5] - The disparity in tungsten production is significant, with China producing 80% of the world's tungsten concentrate, raising concerns about US supply chain vulnerabilities [5][6] Group 3 - The article discusses the implications of US domestic political dynamics on its mineral strategy, noting that future changes in administration could impact ongoing agreements like the AUKUS pact [8] - The US's approach of using government support to secure mineral rights contrasts with its previous criticisms of China's state intervention in the market [5][8] - The long-term nature of developing a resilient supply chain for critical minerals is emphasized, suggesting that quick fixes are unrealistic given the complexities of the industry [5][8]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that despite reaching a significant mineral agreement with the United States, Malaysia will maintain its ban on the export of rare earth ores [1]. Group 2 - Malaysia's Trade Minister confirmed the continuation of the export ban on rare earth minerals, indicating a strategic decision to prioritize domestic resource management [1].

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant drop in stock prices for several companies involved in rare earth and critical minerals, with Cleveland-Cliffs falling over 16%, USA Rare Earth and Critical Metals dropping over 13%, American Resources declining over 12%, and MP Materials decreasing over 6% [1] Group 1: Agreement Details - U.S. President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Albanese signed an agreement regarding rare earth and critical minerals [1] - The agreement is described as an $8.5 billion "ready-to-go collaboration project" [1] - Both parties agreed to streamline the approval processes for mining, processing facilities, and related operations to enhance the production of rare earth and critical minerals [1]