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New York Times

Not Just ‘Rare Earths': U.S. Gets Many Critical Minerals From China

Three years ago, after the pandemic had laid bare the world's vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions, the U.S. government designated a large swath of the periodic table of elements — 50 minerals in all — as 'critical.' The United States obtains more than half of them, including a category of 17 minerals known as 'rare earths,' mostly from China. And this week, China tightened its export restrictions on six rare earths, all but halting U.S. access to new supplies. Here's a look at just how dependent the United States is on China for a broad range of these critical minerals, including rare earths. U.S. relies on China for many critical minerals Share of U.S. imports sourced from China Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass 72% Bismuth Medical and atomic research 68% Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Arsenic Semiconductors 58% Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Barite Hydrocarbon production 30% Tungsten Wear-resistant metals 27% Germanium Fiber optics, night vision 26% Tantalum Electronic components 24% Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys 22% Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals 9% Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline 6% Lithium Rechargeable batteries 3% Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy, polishing compounds 72% Bismuth Medical and atomic research 68% Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Arsenic Semiconductors 58% Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Barite Hydrocarbon production 30% Tungsten Wear-resistant metals 27% Germanium Fiber optics, night vision 26% Tantalum Electronic components 24% Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics 22% Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals 9% Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals 6% Lithium Rechargeable batteries 3% Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass 72% Bismuth Medical and atomic research 68% Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Arsenic Semiconductors 58% Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Barite Hydrocarbon production 30% Tungsten Wear-resistant metals 27% Germanium Fiber optics, night vision 26% Tantalum Electronic components 24% Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys 22% Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals 9% Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline 6% Lithium Rechargeable batteries 3% Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy 72% Bismuth Medical and atomic research 68% Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants 63% Arsenic Semiconductors 58% Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells 42% Barite Hydrocarbon production 30% Tungsten Wear-resistant metals 27% Germanium Fiber optics, night vision 26% Tantalum Electronic components 24% Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics 22% Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices 21% Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals 9% Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals 6% Lithium Rechargeable batteries 3% Percentages refer to minerals in their raw and refined forms, not finished goods. Uses are listed for illustrative purposes. U.S. Geological Survey, TD Bank By The New York Times China not only mines most of the world's rare earths, it is home to most of the world's capacity for refining them. Refining refers to the process of taking the raw minerals and turning them into compounds that have broad industrial applications, whether in batteries or semiconductors or fiber optics, or even the magnets that enable power steering in most vehicles. Many rare earths have chemical properties that make them heat resistant, so they can be used to create high-quality magnets, glass, lights and batteries. Magnets made from rare earths are significantly more powerful and valuable than other types, particularly in electric-car production. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.