{"id":21582,"date":"2026-10-16T10:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T10:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.theck1.no\/?p=21582"},"modified":"2026-10-16T10:18:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T10:18:16","slug":"can-a-radioactive-ore-break-chinas-grip-on-rare-earths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.theck1.no\/?p=21582","title":{"rendered":"Can a Radioactive Ore Break China\u2019s Grip on Rare Earths?"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-rewritten:<\/strong> This is a summary of an article from IEEE Spectrum, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.<\/p>\n

IEEE Spectrum • Glenn Zorpette • October 15, 2026<\/strong><\/div>\n\n

Hundreds of mining companies across North America, Australasia, and Europe are trying to reduce China’s control over rare-earth markets. Chinese firms currently hold roughly 90 percent of the global market for rare-earth oxides and metals. These elements are essential for manufacturing semiconductors, LEDs, lasers, displays, metal alloys, optical lenses, and catalysts. They are also critical for permanent magnets used in electric motors found in vehicles, appliances, robots, and military systems like drones and submarines.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Experts believe a specific ore called monazite offers a path forward because it contains high concentrations of valuable rare earths such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. Jack Lifton, cochairman of the Critical Minerals Institute, states that monazite is currently the most important rare-earth ore. However, processing this ore involves handling radioactive thorium and uranium, requiring special techniques and indefinite storage for resulting waste.<\/p>\n

Major investments are flowing into monazite projects in the United States, Brazil, Madagascar, and Australia. Energy Fuels has spent over US $200 million to secure assets and is producing rare-earth oxides at its White Mesa Mill in Utah. The company received a US $725 million conditional loan commitment from the Trump administration in June. Conversely, a government-backed project in Saskatchewan, Canada, faces delays; it has cost more than CA $100 million after six years and aims to reach full operation by late 2027.<\/p>\n

Monazite exists in two forms: hard rock veins found in mountains and heavy mineral sands accumulated along coastlines. Heavy mineral sands are often preferred because they contain between 45 and 70 percent rare earths by weight, including all necessary elements for magnets. Constantine Karayannopoulos notes that the best distribution of these elements is found in monazites. Extracting these sands requires less energy than blasting hard rock, though safety remains a significant concern for all nations seeking supply chain independence.<\/p>\n

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Source:<\/strong> IEEE Spectrum • Glenn Zorpette • October 15, 2026<\/p>\n

Read the original article at IEEE Spectrum →<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from IEEE Spectrum, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story. IEEE Spectrum • Glenn Zorpette • October 15, 2026 Hundreds of mining companies across North America, Australasia, and<\/p>\n

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