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February 21, 2025
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6 minute read
China proposes new regulations to tighten grip on rare earth industry
Earlier this week, China initiated a public consultation on draft regulations aimed at further tightening its grip on the rare earth industry, a sector it already dominates globally. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the draft rules, which focus on several key areas:
Control and ownership: The regulations propose that only large state-owned enterprises will be allowed to mine, smelt, or separate rare earth elements, effectively banning private firms from these activities. This move reinforces China’s claim that rare earths are state resources, a position it has held for years, and is aimed at further centralizing control and preventing unauthorized extraction or smuggling.
