Rare earth goldmine: Top 10 nations controlling critical metals for global tech (Interesting Engineering)

Rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 metals including 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, are vital for modern technology, from smartphones and electric vehicles to wind turbines and military hardware. While not truly rare, these metals are unevenly distributed, making them strategically critical. China dominates the global rare earth supply, holding nearly half of known reserves and controlling most production. Other countries are racing to secure their own sources as demand for these metals continues to rise.

Rare earth powerhouses: Top 10 nations holding the goldmine