In the modern global economy, a small group of 17 metals underpins all advanced technology. These are the rare earth elements (REEs), and four in particular, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium, are the indispensable ingredients for the high-performance permanent magnets that power everything from electric vehicle (EV) motors and wind turbines to the sophisticated guidance systems in F-35 fighter jets.
For decades, the complex process of mining and separating these elements has been geographically concentrated, creating a significant strategic vulnerability for Western economies dependent on a single-source supply chain.
