What are rare earths and critical minerals – explained in 30 seconds

Rare earths and critical minerals are used in a huge variety of devices and products. Composite: Guardian Design/Reuters

Critical minerals are vital for the global economy and include nickel, manganese and cobalt.

Rare earths are a specific, highly useful category of critical minerals that are used to make magnets essential for the auto, electronic and defence industries, as well as in renewable energy. Securing reserves and production of rare earths has become a flashpoint in global diplomacy and trade.