Heavy mining vehicles haul ore at the rare earth facility in Mountain Pass, California, in June 2015. Photo: Reuters
Reuters: Exclusive: Pentagon races to track U.S. rare earths output amid China trade dispute
The Pentagon is rapidly assessing the United States’ rare earths capability in a race to secure stable supply of the specialized material amid the country’s trade conflict with China, which controls the rare earths industry, according to a government document seen by Reuters.
The push comes weeks after China threatened to curb exports to the United States of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used to build fighter jets, tanks and a range of consumer electronics.
The Pentagon wants miners to describe plans to develop U.S. rare earths mines and processing facilities, and asked manufacturers to detail their needs for the minerals, according to the document, which is dated June 27.
Responses are required by July 31, a short time frame that underscores the Pentagon’s urgency. The U.S. government’s fiscal year ends in September.
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Update: Pentagon Looks To Break China’s Monopoly On Rare Earth Minerals (OilPrice.com)
WNU Editor: People have been talking for years that being dependent on China for rare earths was (and is) a recipe for disaster, especially when it comes to national security. It looks like someone finally woke up in the Pentagon that the time to act is now.
