# DEC. 3RD, 2024~ Letter to Congress on Price Support for U.S. Critical Minerals [Letter to Congress on Price Support for U.S. Critical Minerals | Bipartisan Policy Center](https://bipartisanpolicy.org/letter/letter-to-congress-on-price-support-for-u-s-critical-minerals/) https://preview.redd.it/6s6jj8zkmt4e1.png?width=974&format=png&auto=webp&s=8c9c46be12330f7f810ec73836d5c66788abd193 # MORE about - China restricting exports of critical minerals to US in response to chip restrictions ***Beijing halts supply of gallium, germanium, and antimony over dual-use concerns*** [China restricts exports of critical minerals to US in response to chip restrictions](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-restricts-exports-of-critical-minerals-to-us-in-response-to-chip-restrictions/3412793) https://preview.redd.it/pucnibgsmt4e1.png?width=864&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7878cf9f31230095dca55d56cd7eb30ecb42ab5 **BEIJING** China has announced export restrictions on critical minerals to the United States, countering recent US measures targeting its chip industry. The Ministry of Commerce stated that the export of materials with dual military and civilian uses, including gallium, germanium, antimony, and super-hard materials, to US defense manufacturers is now prohibited. Exports of graphite, which is essential for batteries and aerospace applications, will also face tight controls. China justified the measures as compliant with its export control laws, asserting that they aim to safeguard national security and uphold international non-proliferation obligations. As the world’s largest producer of rare metals—accounting for 70% of global output and processing 85%—China’s move could significantly disrupt supply chains. A US Geological Survey (USGS) report warned that restricting gallium and germanium exports could cost the US economy $3.4 billion. The Chinese government had already announced in August 2023 that gallium and germanium exports would be restricted, followed by graphite export controls in December. **Response to chip restrictions** China’s action is a direct response to US restrictions targeting its chip-making industry. The US Commerce Department recently expanded its export controls, prohibiting the sale of 24 types of chip-manufacturing equipment and three categories of software essential for semiconductor production. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the measures aim to curb China’s military advancements in cutting-edge technologies. Beijing has condemned the US actions, accusing Washington of using export controls to suppress Chinese industries. The Joe Biden administration has prioritized preventing the transfer of critical technologies to China, notably through the CHIPS and Science Act and broader investment restrictions. Signed into law in August 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act has limited Chinese manufacturers’ access to advanced semiconductor technologies. In August 2023, Biden issued an executive order restricting American companies from investing in critical technology sectors in China, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and microelectronics. # DEC. 3RD, 2024~ China’s Trade Reprisals May Extend to Minerals Like Rare Earths [China’s Trade Reprisals May Extend to Minerals Like Rare Earths – BNN Bloomberg](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/international/2024/12/04/chinas-trade-reprisals-may-extend-to-minerals-like-rare-earths/?taid=67503650555a1b0001ad49ea&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter) [Neodymium in Inner Mongolia. Photographer: Nelson Ching\/Bloomberg \(Nelson Ching\/Bloomberg\)](https://preview.redd.it/xjintalatt4e1.png?width=1600&format=png&auto=webp&s=771aaf1dff73dc386ca43d51f70418d98020bf5d) China isn’t short of options when it comes to critical minerals that could be used as counters in a trade war with the US. Beijing’s ban on Tuesday covering sales to the US of gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, and tighter controls on graphite, are likely an opening salvo in export controls that could be extended to dozens of niche materials if trade frictions with Washington escalate. “This may only be the start of the country ensuring national security and its strategic role in mineral resources,” Citic Securities Co. said in a note. The state-backed brokerage listed 10 commodities, including the 17 elements grouped as rare earths, in which China holds an outsized role as producer or processor. The minerals are typically crucial to high-tech manufacturing, including so-called dual uses in military applications. Beijing’s latest restrictions were imposed after the White House on Monday slapped fresh curbs on the sale to China of high-end memory chips made by US and foreign companies. The Biden administration is using targeted measures to slow the country’s development of advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence systems that may help its military. President-elect Donald Trump, however, has threatened import tariffs as high as 60% on all Chinese goods, a measure that would invite a heavy response from Beijing. * Beijing is reminding Washington—including the incoming Trump administration—that it has a new arrow in its quiver, said Bloomberg Economics. We expect a second US-China trade war in Donald Trump’s second term. One key difference could be that Beijing escalates by using export controls in response to US tariffs. As well as rare earths, Citic’s list includes tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, tin, indium, chromium, tantalum, niobium and cesium as candidates for export curbs. China also enjoys dominance in other commodities such as arsenic, which has a wide range of applications from herbicides to telecommunications. In recent years, the US has relied on China for 60% of its supply of the metal, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Rare earths, meanwhile, have been a feature of China’s previous trade disputes, and last year the government halted the export of a range of technologies associated with processing the elements, making it harder for the US and its allies to bolster supplies of the strategic raw materials. In the wake of Beijing’s ban, investors rushed into companies that mine and refine critical minerals. In China, Yunnan Lincang Xinyuan Germanium Industrial Co. surged by 10%, the daily limit, while Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium Co. rose as much as 7.8%. In Sydney, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. advanced as much as 5.6%. The company last month opened the largest processing facility for the elements outside China. The problem for Beijing is that further curbs on strategic minerals will only hasten efforts by the US and its allies to counter its dominance, which will dilute their impact. For example, when China first tightened export controls on germanium and gallium in 2023, it would have signaled to buyers they needed to diversify supply. As a result, Chinese customs data showed zero exports of the two minerals to the US this year, which suggests that firms were instead tapping inventories or procuring the metal from other sources. On the Wire China could approve another 100 nuclear reactors over the coming decade, according to an industry lobby group, as the nation turns itself into the world’s biggest operator of atomic power and potentially a major exporter of the technology. Mitsubishi Corp. has suffered a loss of more than $90 million in China after uncovering suspected fraud by one of its copper traders, according to people familiar with the matter. China’s move to ban exports of rare metals to the US underscores the need for trade cooperation between mineral-rich Canada and its southern neighbor. Teck Resources says it’s considering ways to lift germanium output following China’s move to ban shipments of the rare metal to the US. # ****SEE WHAT THE COMPETITON IS DOING I.E. (BEAR LODGE & AMERICAN RARE EARTHS) # DEC. 4th, 2024~ China’s Ban On Rare Earth Exports Good News For Huge Wyoming Projects [China’s Ban On Rare Earth Exports Good News For Huge Wyoming Projects | Cowboy State Daily](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/12/03/chinas-ban-on-rare-earth-exports-good-news-for-huge-wyoming-projects/) [Rare Element Resources has already started operations at its rare earths demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming. \(Courtesy Rare Element Resources\)](https://preview.redd.it/p9hch8p5nt4e1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=93bb966b939078e8804799089a0b9fcff5589a99) The leaders of Wyoming’s budding rare earth mining startups were feeling vindicated Tuesday after China announced a ban on exporting several critical minerals to the United States. The Chinese ban announced Tuesday includes gallium, used to make semiconductors, and germanium, used for infrared and fiber optics technology. China also banned antimony, used for military explosives, and super hard materials like tungsten, used for armor-piercing bullets and shells. China’s move followed the Biden administration further cutting off access to advanced American technology, adding 100 Chinese companies to a restricted trade list in an escalating tech war between the two superpowers. “This kind of validates the momentum that is already going here in Wyoming,” Wyoming Rare (USA) President Joe Evers said. “And it also shows that domestic projects like those that are being undertaken in the state of Wyoming are so necessary and important for our economic prosperity and our national defense.” Wyoming has a huge head start on other American states in developing rare earths mines and processing, Evers added, and its position at the front can only be a benefit in what is definitely becoming something of a rare earths arms race. “Most folks take it for granted,” he said. “When you think about these resources, critical minerals and rare earths, they’re in our pockets, in our computers, and in our homes. “It’s in our cars — whatever they might be. But I don’t think we appreciate how much lead time is necessary to bring these projects online.” # Already Working Wyoming also doesn’t have all its rare earth eggs in one basket. It has several projects already in the works. The Halleck Creek project near Wheatland, for example, that Evers’ company is working to bring online, has the potential to be one of the [largest rare earth deposits](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/12/23/wyoming-rare-earths-deposit-has-potential-to-be-worlds-richest/) in the nation, if not the world. The U.S. government has already pledged [up to $456 million in financing](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/09/27/huge-wyoming-rare-earth-project-gets-450-million-loan-from-feds/) for the project. Final assay results from the most recent core samples taken from the area have confirmed some of the highest-grade rare earth oxides to date at the location as it works to flesh out the business case for its mine, according to recent announcements by the company. Concurrent with that effort, the company has continued to make “good progress” on the permitting side of things, Evers added. “We’re getting everything teed up for additional exploration next spring and summer,” he said. “And we’re really focusing in on the metallurgical process of how we get metal out of these rocks that we’re working on out there.” Then there is also Ramaco Resources, which has an unconventional rare earth deposit estimated to be worth at least[ $37 billion](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/11/26/37-billion-rare-earths-bonanza-may-only-be-the-beginning-for-wyoming-coal-mine/). Since then, the company has [revised its estimates](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/03/26/one-of-worlds-richest-rare-earth-deposits-in-wyoming-may-be-richer/) upward, from 800,000 tons of rare earths to more like 1.5 million tons. While the Halleck Creek deposit doesn’t have any of the listed banned materials, Ramaco’s deposits include both gallium and germanium, both of which are among the more valuable rare earths. [Rare Element Resources has already started operations at its rare earths demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming. \(Courtesy Rare Element Resources\)](https://preview.redd.it/41d3d6egnt4e1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=df6509bcd7480bb6f5d44d052d07e76290860d14) # Wyoming Head Of The Pack But it’s not just these rich rare earth mining sites that are putting Wyoming ahead of the game. There are also efforts to develop an entirely new, and cheaper, approach to the chemistry of refining rare earth minerals. That’s where the [recently finished](https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/11/02/uptons-china-busting-rare-earths-demonstration-plant-is-officially-underway/) demonstration plant in Upton comes in. It, too, has received federal assistance for its mission to scale up an economically feasible approach to processing rare earths. That’s been seen as critical to developing a domestic supply, more so even than the mining itself. China has long maintained a stranglehold on rare earth supplies by flooding the market with the minerals, choking out competitors by keeping prices so low, they can’t compete. Rare Element Resources Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer Kelli Kast told Cowboy State Daily her company views China’s latest announcement as a call to action for domestic sources and technology. And she’s excited to be part of helping to lead that charge here in Wyoming. “It once again shows China’s intention to manipulate the market by putting export restrictions on key critical rare minerals,” she said in an email. “Because Rare Element Resource’s rare earth Bear Lodge deposit near Sundance and our proprietary processing and separation technology is wholly separate from Chinese sourcing and technology, we believe our demonstration project now underway in Upton is even more important, and then the development of our Bear Lodge Mine.” ***Given its proximity to the world-class Bear Lodge deposit, the town could one day be in line for a full-scale operations plant, if American Rare Earths’ process is proven out.*** # SEE ALSO >>>DEC. 4th, 2024~ Australia's Lynas near 3-week high after China bans export of critical minerals to US [Australia's Lynas near 3-week high after China bans export of critical minerals to US | Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/australias-lynas-near-3-week-high-after-china-bans-export-critical-minerals-us-2024-12-04/) [A small toy figure and mineral imitation are seen in front of the Lynas Rare Earths logo in this illustration taken November 19, 2021. REUTERS\/Dado Ruvic\/Illustration\/File Photo](https://preview.redd.it/uswj5c79pt4e1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=faede360c6b8fdaf84c19f88b95089014f277663) Dec 4 (Reuters) - Shares of Australia's Lynas Rare Earths [(LYC.AX), opens new tab](https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/LYC.AX) climbed to a near three-week high on Wednesday, a day after China banned exports of some critical mineral to the United States.China on Tuesday [banned exports](https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-bans-exports-gallium-germanium-antimony-us-2024-12-03/) of gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications to the United States, escalating trade tensions after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector. # DEC. 3RD, 2024~ Strengthening Canada-U.S. Critical Mineral Partnership Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions [Strengthening Canada-U.S. Critical Mineral Partnership Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions | Morningstar](https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20241203ot71213/strengthening-canada-us-critical-mineral-partnership-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions) https://preview.redd.it/jbykg1uhpt4e1.png?width=265&format=png&auto=webp&s=99908fc043dd7e2c69c5ac2c330cb14769f0eb63 OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - China's recent decision to ban exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other high-tech materials with potential military applications in retaliation for U.S. restrictions on semiconductor-related exports, underscores the precariousness of global supply chains. This development highlights the vital role of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. China's actions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, particularly on the reliable supply of critical minerals. These materials are essential not only for technological innovation and economic growth but also for defense applications critical to national security. Canada has long been a dependable partner, providing certainty to U.S. manufacturing and defense industries by serving as a major supplier of minerals and metals. In 2022, 52% of Canada's mineral exports—valued at over $80 billion—were destined for the U.S.. Strengthening the free flow of minerals and metals between Canada and the U.S. is more critical than ever. Imposing tariffs on Canadian mineral and metal exports to the U.S. would run counter to the shared goals of secure and reliable supply chains. Such measures risk disrupting the essential flow of these resources, undermining the competitiveness of North American industries, and exacerbating vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains that both nations are working to address. The partnership on critical minerals between Canada and the U.S. began in earnest with the development of the [Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4316856-1&h=362338770&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fen%2Fnatural-resources-canada%2Fnews%2F2020%2F01%2Fcanada-and-us-finalize-joint-action-plan-on-critical-minerals-collaboration.html&a=Joint+Action+Plan+on+Critical+Minerals+Collaboration) in 2020 under President Trump. This collaboration has continued under the Biden administration, demonstrating the enduring importance of this strategic alliance. As the U.S. prepares for a new administration, we look forward to working closely with the incoming Trump administration to build on this foundation, ensuring the resilience of critical mineral supply chains and supporting shared economic and defense priorities. "The minerals and metals industry in Canada stands ready to strengthen our partnership with the United States, ensuring the free flow of these essential resources that drive economic growth, defense capabilities, and technological advancement on both sides of the border. The security and well-being of all Canadians and Americans depends on it." said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MAC. *The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $161 billion to the national GDP and is responsible for 21 percent of Canada's total domestic exports. Canada's mining sector employs 694,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses.* # EXCELLENT READ WITH COFFEE BELOW, IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO...... https://preview.redd.it/zsowzvn7ot4e1.png?width=472&format=png&auto=webp&s=63870a394d46b017d539d30fda0ac159ba6bdbd4 # SEPT. 2024 ~ EXECUTIVE REPORT TO U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY # ~THE THREAT OF LIMITED U.S. ACCESS TO CRITICAL RAW MINERALS~ [Threat of Limited U.S. Access to Critical Raw Materials](https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/2024aepthreatoflimitedusaccesstocriticalrawmaterials.pdf) https://preview.redd.it/nyz9ugunnt4e1.png?width=1019&format=png&auto=webp&s=7c567d9bbff26b2eb9922feab424981385bdda50 https://preview.redd.it/vwjx04oxot4e1.png?width=912&format=png&auto=webp&s=205e787a403ab003324eb8bc0355a56e6c7e655b # FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE: # Niocorp's Elk Creek Project is "Standing Tall"....see for yourself... # [NioCorp Developments Ltd. – Critical Minerals Security](https://www.niocorp.com/) https://preview.redd.it/37a3jzafqt4e1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=2033fdf7ed1d5c29ff271bfb8c1c09f3622a1008 https://preview.redd.it/tuhqy0t8qt4e1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=e4fba6fa8e53598e1dffb1be5f8c00742326e22a https://preview.redd.it/0cr52op0qt4e1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=aef1fb8baf2ac1fc74eedaaaa2649b89fe6f1112 # ~KNOWING WHAT NIOBIUM, TITANIUM, SCANDIUM & RARE EARTH MINERALS CAN DO FOR BATTERIES, MAGNETS, LIGHT-WEIGHTING, AEROSPACE, MILITARY, OEMS, ELECTRONICS & SO MUCH MORE....~ # ~KNOWING THE NEED TO ESTABLISH A U.S. DOMESTIC, SECURE, TRACEABLE, ESG DRIVEN, CARBON FRIENDLY, GENERATIONAL CRITICAL MINERALS MINING; & A CIRCULAR-ECONOMY & MARKETPLACE FOR ALL~ https://preview.redd.it/bg35f0rzpt4e1.png?width=917&format=png&auto=webp&s=71b3f560c4a878530e019a4e738ecae2da2eeba3 # ~ WAITING FOR MORE LIGHTNING ($$$$$) WITH MANY!~ READY TO ENGAGE.....!!! Chico
Please sign in to join the discussion
Sign InNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!