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稀土博弈白热化!美国正在大力开采稀土,中国王牌真的悬了?
Sou Hu Cai Jing· 2025-07-29 04:22
Group 1 - A silent war is unfolding in Colorado's arms manufacturing plants, with the M4 carbine's firing rate dropping to 720 rounds per minute, down from 980, due to the use of Australian terbium ore, which has shortened barrel life by 60% [1] - The Pentagon's weapon testing center has highlighted the challenges faced by the U.S. military in reducing dependence on Chinese rare earth elements, as indicated by the warning labels on F-35 fighter jets requiring replacement of Chinese-origin dysprosium alloy [1] Group 2 - The U.S. Geological Survey is urgently purchasing dysprosium ore from the Congo, but prices have tripled due to speculation by middlemen, with the ore eventually flowing to Guangdong, China [3] - A new $230 million rare earth separation plant in Wyoming is facing critical operational issues, as temperature parameters are locked too tightly, revealing a significant gap in U.S. rare earth refining technology [3] Group 3 - The White House has announced a $400 million subsidy for the domestic rare earth industry, aiming to revitalize the Mountain Pass mine in California, but the mined ore is still being sent to China for refining [5] - A report indicates that the U.S. only accounts for 0.7% of global rare earth refining capacity, raising concerns about the future of the U.S. rare earth industry [5] Group 4 - Apple is struggling with the production of neodymium-iron-boron magnets for the iPhone 16 MagSafe charger, as U.S. samples lose magnetic strength at 120°C, while Chinese counterparts maintain performance at 200°C [6] - The cost of U.S.-produced neodymium-iron-boron magnets is $95 per kilogram, compared to $45 for Chinese imports, highlighting the cost disadvantage faced by U.S. manufacturers [6] Group 5 - China's rare earth refining technology is significantly advanced, with the Baotou plant able to extract 17 elements simultaneously and achieving a waste recovery rate of 98.7%, while the U.S. facility can only purify 6 elements with a 20% toxic waste output [8] - China holds 1,463 rare earth refining patents, far surpassing other countries, and has strict controls over the export of rare earth materials [8] Group 6 - The U.S. military is heavily reliant on Chinese heavy rare earths, with 78% of precision-guided munitions depending on them, and a report indicates that Raytheon's stock of samarium-cobalt magnets is critically low [10] - A Pentagon report reveals that equipment purchased from China for rare earth mineral purification comes with encrypted software, complicating U.S. efforts to establish independence [10] Group 7 - The competition extends to smartphone chargers, where Chinese-made chargers outperform U.S. lab samples due to superior materials [12] - The European Union's attempts to procure military-grade rare earth materials from China face significant barriers, as evidenced by the freezing of transactions for specific materials [12] Group 8 - The Pentagon's secret warehouse is running low on Chinese terbium metal ingots, with a report indicating that the stock is only sufficient for 18 months of production for Raytheon missiles [14] - A recent shipment of rare earths from Malaysia was found to contain excessive impurities, tracing back to a port in Fujian, China, raising concerns about the reliability of U.S. rare earth supplies [14]
从被五国收割到卡死美军工,中国稀土翻身战有多硬核?
Sou Hu Cai Jing· 2025-05-21 04:25
Core Viewpoint - The transformation of China's rare earth industry from a low-cost exporter to a strategic resource powerhouse has significant implications for global power dynamics, particularly in military and high-tech sectors [1][5][6]. Group 1: Historical Context - Thirty years ago, China sold rare earth resources at low prices to five countries, which were then used for military and technological applications [1]. - In the 1990s, rare earth prices plummeted, with domestic miners selling below cost while international prices for processed materials soared [3]. Group 2: Key Turning Points - A pivotal moment occurred in 2010 when China cut off rare earth supplies to Japan during a diplomatic dispute, highlighting its control over 90% of global rare earth production [5]. - In 2025, the U.S. faced a crisis when China restricted access to key rare earth elements, severely impacting military production capabilities, particularly for the F-35 fighter jet [6]. Group 3: Strategic Advantages - China maintains complete control over the rare earth supply chain, from mining to production, with significant capabilities in refining and manufacturing [6]. - The complexity of rare earth separation technology has been a barrier for foreign competitors, with Chinese engineers developing processes that remain elusive to U.S. laboratories [6]. - Environmental regulations have been tightened, leading to the closure of small mines and the establishment of six major rare earth groups that collaborate to stabilize prices [6][9]. Group 4: Current Challenges for the U.S. - Despite the reopening of the Mountain Pass mine in the U.S., the country still relies on China for processing, revealing a dependency in the supply chain [7]. - The U.S. military's secret stockpile of 15 tons of dysprosium is only sufficient for six months of operations, underscoring the urgency of the situation [7]. Group 5: Environmental and Economic Impact - The cost of pollution control in China's rare earth mining regions has reached 13 billion yuan, reflecting the environmental challenges associated with the industry [9]. - China has implemented strict environmental standards and advanced recycling technologies, achieving both resource control and pollution management [10].