The US government is actively seeking to break China's grip on rare earth minerals in Africa. These critical elements are used in a wide range of products including electronics, renewable energy technology and national defense systems.
China dominates the global extraction of these 17 rare earth elements, accounting for 60% of global production, while processing capacity falls at an alarming 85%. The Trump administration is determined to challenge this stranglehold on Africa's natural resources.
The African continent holds vast untapped reserves of rare earth minerals, with several major new mines set to come online by 2029. Tanzania, Angola, Malawi and South Africa are among the countries that will soon be major producers of these critical elements.
The US government is working closely with African nations to ensure their minerals are shipped west rather than east to China. This shift in approach prioritizes partnerships between Washington and African countries to promote regional stability and security.
China's influence over Africa's natural resources has long been a concern for the US. The country's Belt and Road Initiative has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects across the continent, including hydropower plants, roads and rail lines.
However, China rarely engages in geological mapping or exploration, instead acquiring projects once they are under development and/or nearing production. This creates an opportunity for the United States and its allies to establish a presence on the continent.
Namibia's Lofdal project is seen as a key alternative to China's supply chain. Analysts say that targeted investments in geological mapping and early-stage project development could enable the US and its allies to secure access to these critical minerals.
The Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile-long rail and infrastructure link between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, is a prime example of this new approach. The corridor will provide an alternative transportation route for minerals, reducing China's dominance over Africa's mining trade.
In recent years, the US has increased its investment in Africa's mining sector, with the aim of reducing dependence on Chinese imports. This shift in strategy is seen as a key part of Washington's efforts to promote regional stability and security.
With vast reserves of rare earth minerals yet to be fully explored, Africa presents an opportunity for the United States to challenge China's stranglehold on these critical elements. By working closely with African nations and investing in geological mapping and early-stage project development, the US aims to secure access to these essential resources and reduce its dependence on Chinese imports.
China dominates the global extraction of these 17 rare earth elements, accounting for 60% of global production, while processing capacity falls at an alarming 85%. The Trump administration is determined to challenge this stranglehold on Africa's natural resources.
The African continent holds vast untapped reserves of rare earth minerals, with several major new mines set to come online by 2029. Tanzania, Angola, Malawi and South Africa are among the countries that will soon be major producers of these critical elements.
The US government is working closely with African nations to ensure their minerals are shipped west rather than east to China. This shift in approach prioritizes partnerships between Washington and African countries to promote regional stability and security.
China's influence over Africa's natural resources has long been a concern for the US. The country's Belt and Road Initiative has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects across the continent, including hydropower plants, roads and rail lines.
However, China rarely engages in geological mapping or exploration, instead acquiring projects once they are under development and/or nearing production. This creates an opportunity for the United States and its allies to establish a presence on the continent.
Namibia's Lofdal project is seen as a key alternative to China's supply chain. Analysts say that targeted investments in geological mapping and early-stage project development could enable the US and its allies to secure access to these critical minerals.
The Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile-long rail and infrastructure link between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, is a prime example of this new approach. The corridor will provide an alternative transportation route for minerals, reducing China's dominance over Africa's mining trade.
In recent years, the US has increased its investment in Africa's mining sector, with the aim of reducing dependence on Chinese imports. This shift in strategy is seen as a key part of Washington's efforts to promote regional stability and security.
With vast reserves of rare earth minerals yet to be fully explored, Africa presents an opportunity for the United States to challenge China's stranglehold on these critical elements. By working closely with African nations and investing in geological mapping and early-stage project development, the US aims to secure access to these essential resources and reduce its dependence on Chinese imports.
meanwhile we're still strugglin to get our hands on them in the us 
it's like china has a stranglehold on africa's natural resources and now the us is tryin to break free 
gotta keep an eye on this one, potential game changer for renewable energy tech and national defense 
! The US government taking steps to break China's hold on rare earth minerals is a great move. I mean, we need those elements for our gadgets, renewable energy tech, and national defense systems, right? So, it makes sense that the US wants to get in on the action. Partnering with African nations to promote regional stability and security is a win-win 
. It's like, China has been all over Africa, investing in projects and stuff, but they're not really engaging with them at the beginning stages... that's where the US can step in! 
I love how Namibia's Lofdal project is being seen as an alternative to China's supply chain... now we have some options 
. This shift in strategy by the US is a great move, and I'm rooting for them to secure access to those rare earth minerals 
. Can't we just have a calm discussion for once? Anyway, back to this rare earth minerals thing... It's kinda mind-blowing how much China is controlling the game, but it doesn't surprise me considering their "Belt and Road Initiative" has been creeping into every corner of Africa 
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. But hey, at least the US is finally making an effort to challenge China's grip.
. targeted investments in early-stage development could be key to securing access to these critical minerals.
just read that china is barely scraping by on their rare earth processing capacity and still controls 60% of global production lol what a joke 
meanwhile africa is sitting on like 70-80% of the world's untapped reserves and no one's really doing anything about it 
and their belt and road initiative is like a big ol' money pit 
plus im so down for america to increase investments in africas mining sector & make china rethink its strategy 
. We can't rely on China for everything, especially considering how much they're pouring into Africa's infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative 
. I mean, think about it, if we can get access to these critical minerals ourselves, we'll be less dependent on China and more secure in our tech and defense systems 
. Plus, it's a great opportunity for Africa to become a major player in the global economy 
an 800-mile-long rail and infrastructure link between the democratic republic of congoleastern africa is exactly what we need to reduce china's dominance over africas mining trade 
. investing in geological mapping and early-stage project development is key to securing access to these critical resources. namibia's lofdal project is definitely one to watch 
. also, that lobito corridor is some serious infrastructure 
. The US is trying to break China's grip on rare earth minerals in Africa, which are used in everything from electronics to renewable energy tech 
. I mean, it's crazy that China controls 60% of global production - it's like they have a stranglehold on the whole thing 
. But the US is getting into the game now, working with African nations to make sure their minerals aren't shipped straight to China 
. This could be a big deal for regional stability and security 
.
. I'm not saying China is bad or anything (okay maybe a little), but what happens when they lose control of those resources? It could get messy