TechPolitics

Can a Radioactive Ore Break China’s Grip on Rare Earths?

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 15/10/2026, 20:58:25 UTC.

Briefings

This briefing examines the global struggle for rare-earth supply independence, noting China controls 90% of the market. It highlights the shift toward monazite ore as a potential alternative, citing analyst Jack Lifton's bullish assessment. Key facts include Energy Fuels' $200M investment in uranium processing and its $725M loan commitment, alongside the stalled Saskatchewan project costing over $216M. Major players like Lynas Rare Earths are expanding monazite operations in Australia and Malaysia. The article notes monazite contains radioactive thorium and uranium, requiring strict government regulation and indefinite waste storage. Coverage is limited to the article's content as of October 2026, with no forecasts or causal claims beyond the stated facts.

Key points

• China controls approximately 90% of the global rare-earth oxide and metal markets, making supply independence a critical geostrategic issue.
• Energy Fuels has invested over $200 million in uranium processing to extract rare-earth oxides from monazite ore in Utah.

Context and limitations

This briefing covers the article's content as of October 2026. It does not include forecasts, causal claims, or opinions beyond the stated facts. Coverage is limited to the provided text, which ends abruptly mid-sentence regarding the advantages of monazite ore.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 15/10/2026, 21:23:30 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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