China has unveiled a list of rare-earth regulations aimed at protecting supplies in the name of national security, laying out rules on the mining, smelting and trade in the critical materials used to make products from magnets in electric vehicles to consumer electronics.
The regulations, issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Saturday, say rare earth resources belong to the state, and that the government will oversee the development of the industry around rare earths — a group of 17 minerals of which China has in recent years become the world's dominant producer, accounting for nearly 90% of global refined output.
Their global industrial significance is such that under a law that entered into force in May the EU set ambitious 2030 targets for domestic production of minerals crucial in the green transition — particularly rare earths due to their use in permanent magnets that power motors in EVs and wind energy.