TECHNOLOGY
“Rare-earth metals are not as rare as their name suggests : the challenge lies in their extraction and processing ”
TOM BUTLER SENIOR ADVISER , BCG
20 new rare-earth projects need to be launched immediately to avoid a shortage by 2030 , with an additional ten projects needed by 2035 . It also highlights the need for a US $ 30 billion investment in the upstream stage alone from 2022 to 2035 .
Neodymium is a magnetic chemical element with the symbol Nd , in solid state . It is part of the rare earth group , used in the technology industry
China currently dominates the rare-earth supply chain , posing significant geopolitical risks . Butler recalls the 2010 price spike when China restricted supply to Japanese manufacturers following a political dispute . “ I think this is one of the key preoccupations of western countries ,” he says . The article also highlights the role of market dynamics in the rare-earth industry . For instance , the price of neodymium oxide needs to be at least $ 150 per kilogram for a midstream project to be profitable . However , prices have never exceeded this threshold for any significant period . miningdigital . com 43