Story thread · 7 reports / 6 sources

Kazakhstan's billion-dollar rare earths push faces familiar obstacles

thenationalnews.com · 9dShare

Kazakhstan’s efforts to attract foreign investment in its rare earth ambitions face a series of challenges as the country seeks to position itself as a viable alternative to China in the supply chain. While Kazakhstan's abundant resources make it an attractive investment destination, it remains well behind China in the critical minerals race because it is landlocked, has Soviet-era equipment and lacks advanced refining. “Kazakhstan is not a realistic substitute for China in the foreseeable future,” said Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre. China has a tight grip on the critical minerals supply chain, wielding about 60 per cent of global rare earths output and up to 90 per cent of refining capacity. Because of this, China can control the global critical minerals and rare earths supply chains at will, as shown by expanding export restrictions on rare earths last year. Those restrictions are currently shelved until November. The US and other countries are racing t

First report: U.S. Backs Rare Earths in Madagascar to Break China’s Monopoly — breitbart.com, 12d