China’s Rare Earths: The Hidden Pillar of Modern Tech

I. Rare Earths Are Not “Rare”: A Treasure Trove in the Periodic Table

Opening the periodic table, the 15 lanthanide elements from lanthanum to lutetium, along with the chemically similar scandium and yttrium, form a special family — the rare earth elements. Many mistakenly believe that “rare earths” are scarce soils, but the term “rare” does not refer to traditional scarcity. Instead, it originates from their dispersed distribution and the difficulty of extraction and purification.

II. Resource Endowment: A Natural Gift of “Light in the North, Heavy in the South”

China’s rare earth resource map reveals nature’s ingenious layout — a distribution pattern of “light in the north, heavy in the south,” perfectly matching modern industry’s demand for various rare earth elements. The Bayan Obo Mine in Inner Mongolia is a world-class treasure trove, with proven reserves of rare earth oxides reaching 35 million tons. Meanwhile, regions such as Jiangxi and Fujian in the south hold the scarcer heavy rare earth resources. Global heavy rare earth reserves account for only about 1.2% of total rare earth reserves, with China possessing the vast majority. The Longnan Mine in Jiangxi contains exceptionally high proportions of dysprosium and terbium, while newly discovered ion-adsorption rare earth deposits in Yunnan hold about 470,000 tons of medium to heavy rare earths alone. This full-spectrum resource advantage lays a solid foundation for the comprehensive development of China’s rare earth industry.

III. Technological Breakthrough: From Being “Choked” to Global Leadership

In the early days of the People’s Republic of China, despite the discovery of rare earth deposits, the lack of extraction technology meant these valuable resources remained buried underground. In 1954, research teams at the Shanghai Institute of Metallurgy embarked on three parallel paths, experimenting with ion exchange, solvent extraction, and other methods. Researchers such as Guan Limin set up equipment on the rooftop of the laboratory building, heating and stirring mixtures of concentrated sulfuric acid and ore while enduring harmful fumes. Three years of persistence finally paid off with a breakthrough: the team invented the “silicon-iron reduction method,” which efficiently extracted rare earth alloys from blast furnace slag with a recovery rate of up to 80% and a rare earth content exceeding 20% in the alloy. Later, Academician Xu Guangxian’s countercurrent solvent extraction technology pushed rare earth separation purity to over 99.999%, establishing an almost unshakable technological barrier.

IV. The “Superpowers” of Rare Earths: The Invisible Force Transforming Daily Life

The role of rare earths has permeated nearly every aspect of our lives, from the phones in our pockets to satellites in the sky — all enhanced by their presence.

In electronics, rare earths act as “performance optimizers.” Adding rare earth elements to smartphone chips reduces heat generation and electrical resistance, ensuring smoother operation. The vibrant colors on display panels are made possible by the “color-tuning” effects of rare earth elements like europium and terbium.

The new energy sector is a primary “battleground” for rare earths. The drive motors of new energy vehicles rely on neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets, which significantly extend driving range. Similarly, wind turbine generators require rare earth permanent magnets — a single 1.5 MW turbine needs nearly one ton of rare earth materials.

In aerospace and healthcare, rare earths play an even more critical role. Satellites and spacecraft engines require high-temperature-resistant materials, and magnets doped with dysprosium remain stable at temperatures up to 200°C. In medicine, rare earth-based contrast agents enhance the clarity of MRI scans, while ytterbium-based lasers enable precise treatments for conditions like myopia and cataracts in ophthalmic surgery.

Conclusion: The Power Behind China’s Rare Earths

These precious resources, hidden within mountains and rivers, are driving global industrial upgrading and technological innovation as an “invisible force.” They have become the “technological backbone” supporting China’s high-quality development, embodying the nation’s resource confidence and technological responsibility. As technology continues to advance, the applications of rare earths will expand further, injecting even stronger momentum into the progress of human society.