This article serves as an update to my previous piece, The Russia-Ukraine Conflict May Represent the First Resource War of the Green Revolution. When I first wrote that article months ago, I suggested that rare earth elements (REEs) played a critical but overlooked role in the motivations behind the war. Now, with new developments in peace talks and additional geopolitical maneuvering, it appears I was likely right.

What are rare earth elements (REEs)?

REEs are a set of 17 chemically similar elements that possess unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. These qualities make them indispensable for modern technology, particularly in renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles (EVs), and advanced electronics. Despite their name, REEs are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, but they are rarely found in concentrated and economically extractable forms. This makes their mining and processing both technologically challenging and environmentally hazardous.

The process of extracting REEs involves several complex steps. First, REE-rich ores must be mined and crushed. Then, chemical separation techniques, often using acids or solvents, are employed to isolate the individual elements. This process generates significant toxic waste, raising concerns about its environmental impact. China dominates the global REE supply chain, refining over 90% of the world's REEs, which has led to major geopolitical dependencies.