China's Rare Earth Monopoly Could Choke Data-Center Growth
A Looming Rare Earth Shortage Threatens Critical Tech
China controls nearly 100% of the global supply of erbium and yttrium, two rare earth elements critical for fiber-optic amplifiers and thermal barrier coatings in turbines powering data centers. With export restrictions looming, the U.S. and Europe are scrambling to secure supplies, but industry experts warn they are lagging behind geopolitical realities. A potential cutoff could disrupt data-center expansion and national security.
Tiny quantities of rare earths can have an outsized impact by enabling core functionality in their respective applications.
- thot_experiment
I'm pretty sure this is just an economic problem right? It has long been convenient to exploit countries that have low wages and make little effort to price in the negative externalities of extracting these resources. It's not like the imperial core doesn't have the minerals, we're just currently not getting them out of the ground.
- RobotToaster
Oh dear, did someone start a pointless trade war with the main source of essential minerals you need?
- ggm
US fed investment in Australian rare earth mines was announced this year. I'm unsure if it's more than loan guarantees and a purchase agreement. There was discussion of a floor price but it focussed on the distorting qualities.