GoKawiilMonazite ore emerges as potential path to rare-earth supply diversification
A joint report from Foreign Policy and IEEE Spectrum examines efforts by mining firms and governments in North America, Australasia, and Europe to challenge China's roughly 90 percent control of rare-earth oxide and metal markets. The report highlights monazite, a radioactive ore, as a resource that some rare-earth experts believe could help build alternative supply chains outside China's dominance.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Rare-earth elements underpin permanent magnets essential to electric vehicles, robotics, consumer electronics, and military hardware, so diversifying supply has strategic and economic stakes for industrial powers. The framing of this competition as a potential 'mineral war' suggests governments may increasingly treat rare-earth access as a national security priority, though the report notes the challenge of unseating China's established industrial momentum remains significant.
- China controls about 90 percent of global rare-earth oxide and metal markets.
- Monazite ore is identified by experts as a possible route to alternative, non-Chinese supply chains.
- Rare earths are critical to permanent magnets used in EVs, robotics, appliances, and military systems like drones and submarines.
Source: spectrum.ieee.org — Glenn Zorpette, 2026-10-15
Published there as: “Can a Radioactive Ore Break China’s Grip on Rare Earths?”
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