In what is seen as a retaliatory move against the United States, the Chinese government has announced that it will no longer allow certain rare earths, such as gallium, germanium and antimony, to be exported to the U.S.
The ban announcement came one day after the Biden Administration restricted the export of specific computer chips to China out of concern these chips are being used to develop advanced weapons that could be used against the United States and her allies.
The minerals that come from China are used in the semiconductor manufacturing process, sophisticated weapons, and every-day items Americans use, such as computers and mobile phones.
This embargo will increase domestic demand for these minerals, which Alaska can provide and has produced historically.
Gallium, for instance, which is used in fiber optic cables, cell phones, solar panels, and infrared technology, is found in the Red Dog mining area, as well as in parts of Southcentral Alaska and near the Ray River north of Fairbanks, where germanium, tungsten, and uranium have been located, just off the Dalton Highway.
Alaska is rich in antimony, and has produced it historically throughout Alaska history, from Southeast Alaska to the Brooks Range, starting in 1905, when Alaska was still a district. The Stampede Mine in the Kantishna Mine District produced 75% of the U.S. domestic production of antimony during much of World War II, and Livengood contributed production during the Korean War. It’s used in everything from batteries to nuclear weapons.
But domestic mining has fallen out of favor in America under the Biden Administration, which has bent to the will of environmentalists, halting permitting and setting areas off limits through federal regulatory actions, such as as blocking access to mining areas like the Ambler Mining District. That could change under the incoming Trump Administration and Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again mandate.
“I’ve been saying for years that our reliance on China for critical minerals undermines our national security and defense. This ban is a wake-up call. We have many of these rare earth minerals in the United States—particularly in Alaska,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan. “The Biden-Harris administration—led by extreme environmentalists—has been hell bent on keeping these minerals locked in the ground which, in my view, is national security suicide. I am confident President Trump and his administration understand the imperative of developing our own resources so that we aren’t dependent on an adversary, like China, to keep us safe.”
Nick Begich, Alaska’s incoming congressional representative, has long been interesting in mining and has supported and invested in Alaska mineral projects for years.
“For years alaska representatives have made a point that our energy and mineral security have been placed in the hands of our global adversaries. Self-reliance and self-determination require America to regain control these critical supply chains. That effort begins in Alaska, where critical minerals, rare earths, base metals, oil and gas, and more are available in abundance,” he said.
Kristen Walker of the American Consumer Institute, writes that an unwillingness to mine and process critical minerals, used for countless technologies and energy projects, on our soil needs reexamination.
“China currently dominates the supply chains, keeping every other nation at their mercy. Tapping into our own vast supplies would not only enhance national security but would benefit the environment due to superior standards here. We should open our lands to more exploration,” she says.
Unfortunately, those who exercise their perceived moral superiority will save America from becoming independent and successful.
Let’s do some mining in Alaska, after all there are more than 9,000 claims of all sorts of ore loads, however, Trump, me and my felow Alaskans, say no to foreign owned, security’s fraud convicted pebble ltd.
Alaska needs to say no to any minerals the country needs as we have lost millions of dollars and acres to the feds and environmental laws so no they can’t have any.
Oil restrictions road restrictions extra large land grabs by the feds go pound sand.
Great opportunity for our resource State to seize upon to develop // strengthen the mining industry. Hopefully, Lisa doesn’t act in a reckless manner (allowing her emotions to prevail) and put this, and other great opportunities, at risk.
A predictable response to Trump’s tariff threats. What else would you really expect? Better get used to it, since there’s a lot more of this to come.
Guess you missed the part that this “came one day after the Biden Administration restricted the export of specific computer chips to China”
Dog seems to almost always miss the facts. What dog doesn’t miss is an opportunity (even if factually misguided) to lambast its preferred boogeyman.
What are you smoking?
I didnt read anything in the story that has any relevance to your ignorant rant.
The statement was issued the day after your “chief” restricted the export of specific computer chips.
Are you sure it wasnt the aliens circling the Earth? Or your mind?
The irony of the style of top down autocratic governance of our Neo Liberal/Neo Conservatives who dominate the Democratic and Republican Parties of shutting down our industry, reliable energy and mineral extraction, while starting economic, trade and violent proxy wars.
Instead of maintaining hundreds of bases garrisoned by our military worldwide, and engaging in a multitude of proxy wars, we need to build up our economy, based on mining, oil, coal, natural gas, and manufacturing.
As a major industrial nation, built on real wealth, we could peacefully compete in good faith trade with all nations. Not attempt to sanction others and borrow/print paper/digital money to attempt to dominate the globe.
Regulatory paralysis and preservationist opposition to mineral development is indeed a huge hurdle to domestic production of critical minerals. In addition, market manipulation by China thwarts the free market. That is, by restricting export, China drives up price and incentivises free world production. However, long before mines can be realized in the free world China resumes export, driving prices back down. Thus, they retain sole source status. Nasty business.
Better get used to no tequila too.
No worries there. The US leads the global market for tequila purchase/consumption: over 321 million liters in 2023 and according to 2022 stats US retail dollar sales of tequila amounted to about 13 billion with about 6 billion generated by suppliers. That market brings in demasiado dinero for Mexico to ever ban exports. There may be a decrease in US consumption if proposed tariffs ever come to fruition, and that’s a big if, but I’d be willing to bet there would be a carve-out exemption for the cactus booze if those tariffs happen.
Nothin wrong with good ole Tennessee Tea.
No, but it’s not Lunazul.
Chi-na will dispense more bribe money to keep Alaska mining off limits!!
So…Is Biden a CCP agent or not? I’ve been told by MRAK readers and “journalists” that “China Joe” is a sleeper agent for the CCP. But he’s banned advanced chips from being being exported to China and China has responded by doing something that may benefit Alaska.
Yipee!
Pebble Mine and Ambler Road here we come!!!
thanks China… Looks like some good high paying jobs coming to Alaska.
Not if Murkowski has anything to do with it
We have an abundance of these minerals, but thanks to the Alaska Center for the Environment, Trustees for Alaska, the Sierra Club and other marxist organizations, we will never be able to exploit them. Ever. Remember these goons when Alaska’s economy completely collapses. And Lisa will never help us unless the rural shakedown takes all the profit out of extracting and processing those minerals.
Mine, baby, mine!
Oh, and add said resultant dollars unto the permanent fund!