this boom is about geopolitics not geology

News Snapshot:

The European Union first published a list of 14 “critical raw materials” in 2011, partly inspired by China’s decision to slash exports of 17 elements called rare earths in 2010. China supplied about 97 per cent of the world’s rare earths at the time, and the move alerted developed nations to the fact they were dangerously reliant on China for metals needed to make the magnets that go in cars, wind turbines and defence applications. The “critical minerals” concept went mainstream during Donald Trump’s time as president, when he ordered the creation of a critical minerals list as part of...