Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

a large number of rare earth products for the military product manufacturing. The picture shows the Boeing’s “Hornet” assembly plant. (Data)
United States accused China of monopoly rare strategic resources. (Data)

from China last year to reduce production and limit exports of rare earth, the earth as a great power reserves of the United States began to accuse the Chinese monopoly of strategic resources. Washington now began to consider rebuilding the domestic rare earth supply chain. September 20, the U.S. military giant Boeing announced that it will use remote sensing technology to detect the rare earth resources in the United States to help the Government develop a long-term rare earth resources development strategy. However, the U.S. Congress in April this year, a report said the reconstruction of the domestic rare earth resources, supply chain involves many factors, at least 15 years.

Boeing with technical superiority to find rare

United States, “Popular Science” magazine website 20 reported that Boeing has signed an agreement with the United States of rare earth, the use of advanced remote sensing technology to search for rare earth minerals. Boeing announced Wednesday that the full survey will help the U.S. develop a long-term rare earth resources development strategy.

“Popular Science,” said Boeing’s use of remote sensing technology to find did not disclose the details of rare-earth minerals, but is expected to use the remote control technology and equipment to carry on in aircraft or satellites, can scan a wide area, for rare earth or other material of the electromagnetic emission data, to determine the chemical properties of these substances to provide a basis. First round of the survey will focus on the North Fork in Idaho around the city. From previously found in the area of ??the ore samples of view, the rare earth content of 5.8%, which has the most abundant magnetic neodymium. Neodymium wide range of uses, used in computer hard drives, wind turbine engines, fighter aircraft and is also inseparable from Neodymium. In addition, Boeing will also investigate Montana and Colorado, which may contain rare earth mineral-rich areas.

Edward Cole, CEO of U.S. RE Cen said Boeing’s remote sensing technology will greatly enhance the ability to detect the rare earth minerals. U.S. Microsoft NBC (MSNBC) analysis is that Boeing is the world’s leading arms manufacturers, but also big users of rare earth products in the current very tight supply of rare earth case, Boeing is willing to use its technological advantage to the United States in search of rare earth resources.

how the U.S. assessment of China’s rare earth dependence

U.S. “economy line” website on September 20, said recently, China announced in the second half of the rare earth export quota fell 72% in the second half of the maximum export capacity of 8,000 tons, while output of 28,500 tons over the same period in 2009. 2012, the international community’s demand for rare earth supply will exceed 50,000 tons, unless the discovery of new alternative resources, or Rare Earth supply shortages can not be solved.

“Japan Times” commented on September 3, 2009, the number of China’s rare earth ore mining 97% of the world, while China’s is almost formed from ore mining to handle the whole process monopoly. The paper said that U.S. weapons systems are widely used rare earth products, such as communications systems, radar, avionics, night vision, aircraft engines, missile guidance, electromagnetic counter, mine detection, anti-missile systems and other equipment must use the rare earth alloy. Currently, the U.S. military for the supply of rare earth resources, already strained, the Pentagon report will be released later this month, a comprehensive assessment of China’s rare earth resources dependent on U.S. military weapons systems to the risks.

reconstruction of rare earth supply chain needs for 15 years

“The current situation is almost a crisis.” Iowa State University Ames U.S. laboratory metallurgist 卡尔格施内德纳 said he engaged in the 1960s the study of rare earth resources. In 1990, the United States or the rare earth-grown self-sufficient country, but because of rare earth ore mining, production and processing of environmental pollution, labor costs are high, the United States was forced to close the domestic rare earth ore. Although the United States is the rare earth mineral reserves of power, but now “almost non-existent domestic rare earth ore mining and processing.” The largest rare earth mine in Mountain Pass mine had been sealed in 1998, closed completely in 2002. This led directly to the United States began to lose the advantages of rare-earth application of technology.格施内德纳 urged the U.S. government as soon as possible reconstruction of rare earth industrial system.

However, part of the U.S. Congress, Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in April this year, reconstruction of rare earth supply chain depends on several factors, including ensuring there is a lot of money to repair production equipment, develop new technology, access to the current patent and other foreign companies. The report concluded that the United States to rebuild viable rare earth supply chain, at least 15 years. (Zhao Chuanheng)