They’re called rare earths. The name’s a lie but the scarcity isn’t

Rare earth elements, crucial for modern tech and energy transition, are geologically common but economically scarce. China dominates supply, controlling 60% of mining and 90% of processing. This monopoly has become a geopolitical issue, with China halting exports during trade tensions. Countries are now diversifying supply chains, developing new mines, and improving recycling. Despite abundance, rare earths remain environmentally and politically challenging to produce, making them effectively scarce globally.