Beijing has shifted its rare earth management model to a “total volume control” system, in which annual production caps are set centrally and allocated directly to enterprises. This reflects tighter centralization and a new focus on controlling overall output rather than mandating production targets. New measures released in August derive authority from the Mineral Resources Law and the Rare Earth Regulations, elevating rare earth governance from earlier measures implemented in 2012 and reinforcing Beijing’s ability to close loopholes and strengthen enforcement. Industry participation is now limited to state-designated groups, and all production and sales must be recorded on a centralized traceability platform. This ensures rare earths remain firmly under central control, reduces opportunities for illicit flows, and enhances Beijing’s leverage in global competition.
Rare Earth Regulation Shifts From Decentralized Planning to Centralized Control – Jamestown
