Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
Definition and Strategic Importance
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic elements comprising the 15 lanthanides (lanthanum through lutetium on the periodic table), plus scandium and yttrium. Despite the name, most REEs are not geologically rare — they are widely distributed but rarely found in concentrated, economically extractable deposits. REEs are indispensable in high-technology manufacturing: permanent magnets (neodymium-iron-boron) power electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and military guidance systems; other REEs are used in semiconductors, phosphors for displays, catalysts, and medical equipment. Their strategic importance lies in this combination of ubiquity in modern technology and geographic concentration of processing capacity.
- 17 REEs: 15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium.
- Light REEs (LREEs): lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium — more abundant, used widely.
- Heavy REEs (HREEs): dysprosium, terbium, holmium, erbium — scarcer, critical for high-performance magnets and defense applications.
- Key applications: EV motors, wind turbine generators, missile guidance, radar, smartphones, MRI machines, defense electronics.
- China controls approximately 48% of proven global reserves, 70% of mining output, and approximately 91% of global refining/separation capacity.
- China's share of permanent magnet production: approximately 94% globally (2024).
● Tracked since February 21, 2026 · last seen June 18, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes