U.S. companies work to cut reliance on China for critical minerals used in weapons
Summary
A U.S. company called Phoenix Tailings is working to produce critical minerals needed for weapons and other high-tech uses, aiming to reduce America's dependence on China. The Pentagon gave the company a $500 million loan to help expand its capacity, but building new factories and mines to meet demand will take several years.Key Facts
- Phoenix Tailings uses electricity to extract critical minerals from mining waste and recycled materials.
- These minerals are important for U.S. weapons like missiles and radar systems.
- The Pentagon provided Phoenix Tailings a $500 million loan to help grow the business.
- The U.S. government is requiring military contractors to avoid sourcing minerals from China.
- Phoenix Tailings plans to build a new, larger factory called the "freedom facility" to produce more minerals.
- The company currently produces about 200 kilograms of samarium per year but aims for 120 tons by 2028.
- Samarium and similar minerals are key for making strong magnets used in defense and aerospace.
- It will take years for the U.S. industry to build enough mines and factories to fully replace Chinese supplies.
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