From your watch to Agni-6 missile… 95% of the essential rare earth minerals (REE) used in it are produced only by China. That means, if China stops giving REE, then neither the clock will run, nor the electric vehicle will run, nor will there be electricity, nor will American F-35 fighter jets be made. China has the highest number of REE in the world and India is at third place. Experts predict that by 2035, REEs will become so important that without them it will be impossible for any country to become a super power.

So let us understand in ABP Explainer what are Rare Earth Minerals, how China captured the minerals of the whole world and why no country can become a super power without them…

Question 1- What and how are rare earth minerals?
answer- Rare Earth Minerals (REE) are 17 special metals, which look like ordinary soil, but they are the lifeblood of today’s high-tech world. These are called ‘rare’ because they are found everywhere on earth, but it is very difficult and expensive to extract them in pure form. Only 1-2 grams of pure REE comes out from one ton of soil. By 2030, the world needs 140 million EVs, for which 4.9 lakh tonnes of REE will be required every year. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) report, these metals are the backbone of all technologies including green energy, defense and AI.

1. Holmium: This is the most powerful magnetic element in the world. It is used in laser devices, nuclear reactors and high-tech magnets.
2. Erbium: It gives off a pink glow, which is used in internet networks, medical lasers and colored glasses.
3. Thulium: It is the rarest mineral after lutetium, which is used in X-ray machines, laser surgery and mobile laser devices.
4. Europium: It produces bright red and blue light. It is used in LED screens, TV displays and currency notes.
5. Ytterbium: It evaporates very quickly. It is used in steel, quantum computing research and medical imaging.
6. Samarium: Magnets made from it do not lose their strength at high temperatures, due to which it is used in making headphones and nuclear weapons.
7. Gadolinium: It absorbs magnetic neutrons, due to which it is used for MRI machines, nuclear reactors and radar systems.
8. Terbium: Produces green light in TV-phones. LED screens, lighting, sensors and high temperature magnets are made from it.
9. Dysprosium: Produces white-yellow light and does not lose power in high temperatures. It is used in making nuclear reactors, hard disk drives and generators.
10. Lutetium: It is the heaviest and strongest among the 17 rare minerals. It is used in petroleum refineries, memory devices and killing cancer cells.
11. Scandium: It is the most special and very light among the 17 rare minerals. It is used in making rocket-helicopter frames, baseball bats and LEDs.
12. Yttrium: It is the most abundant rare mineral on Earth, from which radar systems, superconductors and camera lenses are made.
13. Cerium: Helps in oxidation in chemical reactions. It is used in glass polishing and electronics.
14. Lanthanum: Hydrogen is good at absorption, which makes superconductors and nuclear reactors.
15. Promethium: It radiates, hence is useful as a source of energy, which is used in nuclear research and thermoelectric generators.
16. Niobium: It has high superconductivity, due to which it is used in superconductors, aerospace and jet engines.
17. Tantalum: It does not rust and is not affected by acid. It is used in electronic, medical and aerospace.

Question 2- Which country has the highest number of REE in the world?
answer- China has all the 17 REEs in the world, but most of them are light REE (Nd, Pr, Ce) and heavy REE (Dy, Tb). The world’s largest mine is also in China, which was discovered in 1927. It has more than 57 million tonnes of REE reserves. According to USGS, China controls 70% of the world’s REE reserves and 95% of production. after this-

• Brazil has 21 million tons of REE.
• India is in third place, with 6.9 million tonnes of REE.
• Australia has 5.7 million tonnes of REE.
• Russia has 3.8 million tons of REE and Vietnam has 3.5 tons of REE.
• The US has 1.9 million tonnes of REE and Greenland has 1.5 million tonnes of REE.

Question 3- How did China capture 70% of the world’s REE reserves and 95% production?
answer- This is not a coincidence, but it was China’s 40 year old plan…

• 1980: China subsidized REE, relaxed environmental regulations and gave export tax rebates. China deliberately dropped REE prices by 70% so that countries including the US, Australia and India would stop REE mining. All the countries thought that when they can be imported at cheaper prices, then why spend more money doing mining.
• 1986-1992: Made Baotou ‘Rare Earth Capital’.
• 1990: Declared REE as a ‘strategic resource’ and banned foreign investment.
• 1999: America’s Mountain Pass Mine closed. The same situation happened in Australia and India also.
• 2010: Due to dispute with Japan, exports were stopped for 2 months, due to which REE prices increased by 500%.
• 2023: Tech export banned on NdPr, DyTb.
• 2024: Banned 7 heavy REE (Samarium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Lutetium, Scandium and Yttrium). It was made mandatory for companies exporting these elements to obtain a special export license, due to which the supply of REE was disrupted across the world.
• 2025: 5 and REE (Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Europium and Yttrium) were banned. Due to this, 12 minerals came under the control of China. Before using them, it became necessary to obtain export license from China.

China forced the rest of the world out of the market by lowering prices and then made everyone bow down by banning essential minerals. Today, China produces 270,000 tons of REE in 2025.

Question 4- Why does a country need REE to become a super power?
answer- A country needs REE to become a superpower because in the next 25 years, all the power in the world will be powered by this. Apart from this, in 2035, super power will be identified with weapons. The country which makes the most dangerous weapon will be called a super power. All dangerous weapons cannot be made without REE. For example, 417 kg of neodymium is required to make F-35 fighter jet, if China stops it then America’s Air Force will be destroyed in 18 months. India’s Agni-6 missile requires 9 kg of samarium-cobalt magnets. If China does not give, the 8,000 km range missile will remain on paper. An American submarine requires 4,200 kg of REE, if China did not supply it, not a single new submarine would be built. That means the country which controls REE will be called a super power.

REE is used extensively in our everyday life also. Imagine that one morning you wake up, your watch will not ring due to lack of REE, because there is 0.3 gram neodymium magnet in that small vibration motor. Your electric scooter will not start, because its motor contains 3 kg REE magnet. Lights will not be on in your house and schools because the wind turbine will not run, which requires 4 tons of REE magnets. Internet will not work on your phone, because 6G tower requires Yttrium. Even AI will not be able to work without China, because one AI data center requires 20 tons of REE (cooling and magnetic storage).

Question 5- What will India have to do to become a superpower by 2047?
answer- For India to become a superpower by 2047, complete control over REE is necessary. Today we import 95% of REE from China, but we have the third largest reserve in the world. According to the USGS 2025 report, our production is only 2,900 tonnes every year, which is not even 1% of China’s 270,000 tonnes.

According to experts, if we want to become the world leader in EV, defense and green energy by 2047, then in the next 22 years we will have to create the entire supply chain like China ourselves.

• The short-term target for 2030 is to increase production 10 times.
• IREL’s Odisha plant will have to be doubled to increase NdPr production to 450 tonnes by 2026 and 900 tonnes by 2030.
• GSI will have to explore 1,200 blocks by 2030-31. 195 are already running.
• The capacity of REPM plant in Visakhapatnam will be 3,000 kg per annum.

Danish Prime Minister Mete Frederickson has said that she will not tolerate Denmark’s internal affairs and any kind of interference in Greenland. He said this after the reports that it is said that American citizens associated with the White House are involved in secret activities in Greenland. News agency Xinhua quoted Danish broadcaster DR on Wednesday (27 August 2025) that about three American citizens associated with President Donald Trump are running secret activities in Greenland, including establishing private networks and creating a list of local celebrities based on their attitude towards American control.

Fredericksson told the media, “We have a clear disagreement in Greenland. Any interference in the internal affairs of the Denmark Empire and the Greenlandic democracy is unacceptable.” He said that his government takes this matter very seriously. The Prime Minister also said that Washington has not clearly denied the allegations. He said, “The report presented by the Americans today has not clearly rejected it. It is definitely serious.”

Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motfeld meeting
Frederickson said that he raised the issue in front of American senators in a meeting in the presence of Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motfeld. He said, “We have made it clear that this is unacceptable and we will give this message directly to our colleagues in the United States.” Denmark’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that External Affairs Minister Lars Loke Rasmusen on Wednesday summoned the US Ambassador to talk about these reports. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control over Greenland after assuming office earlier this year. Trump has not denied the use of “military or economic pressure” to achieve this goal.

History of greenland
Denmark’s security and intelligence service told the media that the impact campaigns being run between Greenland, Copenhagen and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, are becoming aimed at the impact campaigns. Greenland, which was a former Danish colony, became an integral part of the Denmark Empire in 1953. It was provided self -government in 1979, which expanded its autonomy, although Denmark has authority over foreign affairs and defense.

Also read: ‘Yeh Modi war …’ America has now connected India with connection, Trump’s advisor again got chili

Us-grareenland relations: US President Donald Trump claimed that the US would control Greenland. His claim was now strictly rejected by Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederick Nielsen.

In a post written on Facebook, he said, ‘President Trump is saying that America will achieve Greenland. I want to say clearly that America will not get Greenland. We are not under anyone and will decide our future ourselves. “

Learn why usa wants to meet Greenland?

Greenland is a large and natural resource -rich island located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is an autonomous area of ​​Denmark as well as an associate of NATO (NATO). US President Donald Trump says Greenland is important for national security, and has expressed a desire to make it a part of the US.

Will US use military force?

In an interview to NBC News, Donald Trump said that he was not denying the possibility of forced Greenland. However, he also said, “I think we can achieve it without military force.” Trump linked his statement with world peace and international security, but clearly said, “I do not dismiss any option.” Local leaders of Greenland and the people there are considering this claim of America as derogatory and unacceptable. These statements of Trump have increased outrage in Greenland and Denmark.

Trump’s controversial statement on Russia

When Donald Trump was asked what message would he send to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who captured many parts of Ukraine, Trump clearly said, “I don’t care.”

Will this issue become a new global controversy?

After Trump’s controversial statement, tension in the US and Denmark relations may increase. The Prime Minister of Greenland shows a clear message that he will not compromise on his sovereignty. Now the thing to see will be that what the US takes further on this issue.

Us Vice President Trip to Greenland: US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland on Friday (March 28) with his wife Usha Vance. He has posted a post on social media platform Facebook with his visit to Greenland with wife Usha Vance. In the post, he described the trip to Greenland with his wife as fun.

US Vice President JD Vance has gone to Greenland on a two-day visit from Friday to Saturday (March 28-29). He is accompanied by his wife Usha Vance. During his visit to Greenland, Vice President also traveled to the US Pituffe Space Force Base located in the northwest Greenland, USA. During this, Vice President JD Vance also addressed the officials on the Space Force Base. He said that defense and security is the main priority of Donald Trump administration.

Usha Vance’s visit to the US delegation was to visit

The US White House issued a statement a few days ago about Usha Vance’s visit to Greenland, wife of Vice President JD Vance. In its statement, the White House had said that Usha Vance would go on a visit to Greenland with the American delegation. This journey will be of two days. During this time Usha Vance Danish will know the legacy of the country closely.

Vice President accused Denmark for security

US Vice President JD Vance on Friday (March 28) accused Denmark of not taking adequate steps for Greenland’s security during his address at the US Pituffy Space Force Base. Addressing a press conference, Vance said, “Our message for Denmark is very clear. You have not worked better for the people of Greenland. You have not invested as much for the people of Greenland as you should have done. You have not invested enough to protect this very beautiful territory.

Putin on Greenland: Since Donald Trump became President again, the sweetness of America and Russia is seen dissolving. Many examples of this have been seen in the last two months. In the first Ukraine case, America’s stance appeared in Russia’s favor and now Russia gave the green signal to American plans in the case of Greenland.

In fact, a statement has come from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, which has made it clear that he has no objection to the American occupation plan of Greenland. Recently, Trump described this Arctic region as a part of America. Currently, this part comes under Denmark. This is an autonomous region, where the entire administration system is different from Denmark.

What did Putin say?
Putin said on his visit to the city of Marmaansk, Russia, ‘America’s plans regarding Greenland are serious. These schemes have deep historical roots. It is clear that the US will continue to systematically forward its geopolitical, military, political and economic interests in the Arctic region. But instead of criticizing or condemning Trump’s expansionist agenda, Putin left Greenland to his fate. President Putin said, ‘As far as Greenland is concerned, it is a case of two countries (America and Denmark). It has nothing to do with us.

America’s Ukraine’s Hands from War
In February itself, the whole world saw a debate between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Jailonski at the White House. This debate had crossed the limits. The result was that after this, the US announced to stop all the help given to Ukraine. Russia benefited the most from this decision of Trump administration. However, just before this, the US stance on the resolution passed against Russia for the Ukraine War in the United Nations also surprised. Since then, it seemed that America would not support Ukraine any more in this war.

‘America understands Russia’s position, this is a good thing’
At the moment, relations between the US and Russia are seen coming back on track. The statement of Kiril Dimitiv, Special Envoy of President Putin for foreign investment and economic cooperation, also gives an important indication in this direction. Dimitiv has said that we are ready to consider various investment opportunities that can be done jointly with the US. We are ready for investment cooperation in Arctic. The war in Ukraine needs to end before such deals. We (Russia and America) are now having a very good conversation and I think it is very important that America is trying to understand the situation in Russia. ‘

Usha Vance Visit to Greenland: Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, is going to travel to Greenland on Thursday (March 27). According to a report by Reuters, an American delegation along with Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor of the White House of the US and Energy Secretary Chris Wright is about to travel to Greenland. This high-profile Greenland visit will also be accompanied by the wife of the US Vice President.

The White House issued a statement stating that Usha will travel to the historical places with the American delegation in Greenland and will participate in the National Dogslet Race with close to the historical heritage of the Danish region.

In greenland Us American delegation will visit military base

According to a report by Reuters, an American official said that NSA Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Right will also visit an American military base in Greenland during this important visit. At the same time, after this high-profile visit, the US delegation will return to the United States on March 29.

Greenland’s strategic location is beneficial for America

It is noteworthy that this high-profile trip by the US delegation is going to be between US President Donald Trump’s threat of occupation of the Danish region. Donald Trump has been threatening the US possession of Greenland since assuming the US President again.

Greenland’s strategic location and resources of minerals there can be very beneficial for America. At the same time, Greenland is the smallest route between Europe and North America, which is also important for the Warning System of American ballistic missile. However, both governments of Greenland and Denmark have opposed the move of America.

At the same time, no statement has come from the Caretaker government of Greenland on the demand for remarks towards the Reuters.

Denmark Prime Minister written comment

However, Denmark Prime Minister Met Frederickson has made a written comment about the visit of the US delegation. He said, “This is one such thing that we take very seriously.” He said, “Denmark wants to cooperate with America, but this cooperation should be based on the fundamental rules of sovereignty.”