North America discovers a viable alternative to Chinese rare earth metals

North America’s untapped rare earth potential

According to НВ — Техно: Recent research indicates that North America holds substantial deposits of rare earth metals, which could significantly reduce reliance on China-currently responsible for roughly 70% of global supply. However, developing local extraction will require close collaboration between the United States and Canada, along with government backing, given the high costs involved. Global demand for these metals is projected to reach 91,000 metric tons in 2024 and climb to 150,000 metric tons by 2040.

Why rare earth elements matter

Key rare earth metals of strategic importance include:

• neodymium
• praseodymium
• dysprosium
• terbium

These elements are essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and military equipment. According to experts, excessive mining could drive prices down and make the industry unprofitable. Moreover,

“government support and regulation can help build a stable industry,”

noted Steven Kessler.

Currently, the only active rare earth mine in North America is located at Mountain Pass, California. The United States has the capacity to independently supply itself with light rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and praseodymium. However, for heavy elements like dysprosium and terbium, partnering with Canada is the most viable path. As researchers point out,

“not all deposits are equally valuable,”

and nearly all North American reserves-except Mountain Pass-are lower in quality compared to those in China and Australia.

The importance of rare earth elements is growing, as they are considered critical for industry, modern technology, defense, and clean energy development, according to Greg Keoleyan. The next phase of research will assess domestic reserves of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium through 2050. Steven Kessler also added that

“the study should help evaluate deposits more systematically and avoid over-investing in those that may prove uncompetitive in the future.”

In short, North America holds significant rare earth potential, but realizing it will require investment, cross-border cooperation, and government support.

Developing rare earth mining in North America could reshape global markets by reducing dependence on China and ensuring stable supplies for strategically vital industries. Success will depend not only on financial resources but also on close coordination between governments and the private sector, potentially sparking new technologies and innovations in extraction and processing.

As North America seeks to establish its rare earth metal industry, it is essential to explore alternative sources of these critical materials. In particular, the recycling of old electronics presents a promising avenue for obtaining rare earth metals. For more on how outdated gadgets can contribute to the supply chain, see our article on recycling rare earth metals from old gadgets.