Rare metal resources become investment hot spots countries need to reserve
Indium: China leads the world in indium reserves, holding about 80% of the global supply. It is primarily used in flat panel displays, alloys, semiconductor data transmission, and aerospace manufacturing. Indium is often found as a by-product of lead and zinc ores. In 2005, China produced only 410 tons of primary indium. Since it is typically measured in parts per million (ppm) within zinc concentrates, its availability is limited and non-renewable.
Tungsten: China possesses the largest tungsten reserves globally, accounting for 85% of the world's supply. It is widely used in hard alloys, special steels, and defense equipment, earning it the nickname "industrial teeth." Tungsten's high melting point makes it essential in the machinery and weapons industries, such as in gun barrels and launch tubes. Military bullets are made from high-density alloys like tungsten carbide, which are much harder than tank armor. Tungsten alloys exhibit mechanical properties similar to depleted uranium but without its radioactive drawbacks. They remain stable at temperatures above 1000°C, making them ideal for high-temperature applications in ammunition.
Molybdenum: China ranks second in molybdenum reserves, contributing around 24% to the global supply. It is crucial in the production of alloy steels, stainless steels, and heat-resistant superalloys, playing a vital role in military and industrial applications, hence called "war metal."
Rare Earth Elements: China holds the top position in rare earth reserves, supplying over 80% of the global market. These elements are essential for composite materials, magnesium, aluminum, and titanium alloys, often referred to as "industrial monosodium glutamate" due to their transformative impact on modern manufacturing.
Germanium: China has the world’s largest reserves and produces about 50% of the global output. It is used in night vision devices, thermal imaging systems, solar cells, and fiber optics, playing a key role in advanced communication technologies.
Other strategic metals, such as niobium, tantalum, cadmium, titanium, nickel, zirconium, chromium, and cobalt, are also critical in national defense and space exploration. For example, tantalum is not only used in artillery but also in future space missions. Its unique properties continue to be studied by scientists.
Research into niobium alloys is ongoing. The T-222 and T-111 alloys, for instance, are being developed for use in spacecraft power systems and heat sources, highlighting the importance of rare metals in advancing technology.
Strong Data: Zirconium is mainly used in nuclear reactors, aerospace, and weapons, with 90% of the world’s zirconium processed in China. Indium is predominantly used in high-end LCD screens, with 80% of global production coming from China, and 70% exported to Japan. China holds 88% of the world’s rare earth resources. In 2005, China exported $310 million worth of rare earths, with $180 million going to Japan and $30 million to the U.S. Tungsten exports reached $730 million, with $230 million to Japan and $88 million to the U.S. Other rare metals accounted for $500 million in exports, with $310 million to Japan and $50 million to the U.S. These figures underscore China's dominant role in the global supply of strategic materials.
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