US backs a South Africa project to extract rare earths as it counters China
AP News
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A U.S.-backed project in South Africa aims to extract rare earth minerals from industrial waste as part of a Trump administration priority to reduce reliance on China.
The U.S. has committed a $50 million investment in the Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project despite U.S.-South Africa relations plummeting to their lowest point in decades.
The project targets two massive waste dunes at an old chemical plant.
The developer, Rainbow Rare Earths, says it can extract key metals used in electronics and defense systems from the dunes in a process that's much cheaper than traditional mining.
Researchers say the project is promising.
US-backed rare earth project in SA
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- New rare earth mineral facility using new extraction technique set to open in South Africa AP News —
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- The US backs a South Africa project to extract rare earths despite a diplomatic clash ABC News —