Send us a text

Rare earths are the silent backbone of the digital age, and the numbers behind their global control and demand tell a story of strategic urgency and economic fragility.
Welcome to this bonus episode of, The Digital Revolution with Jim Kunkle, on this episode we’re going to talk about the high-stakes tug-of-war over rare earth minerals, and a battle shaping the future of technology, energy, and geopolitical influence. As of 2025, China controls nearly 90% of global rare earth refining capacity, including a near-monopoly on heavy rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium, which are essential for high-performance magnets used in Electric Vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense systems. This dominance is not just about mining: China’s vertically integrated supply chain spans from raw extraction to finished Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets, producing over 300,000 tonnes annually, while the U.S. is targeting just 1,000 tonnes. That disparity is more than a statistic, it’s a strategic vulnerability.

Contact Digital Revolution

• "X" Post (formerly Twitter) us at @DigitalRevJim
• Email: [email protected]

Follow Digital Revolution On:

• YouTube @ www.YouTube.com/@Digital_Revolution
• Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/digitalrevolutionwithjimkunkle/
• X (formerly Twitter) @ https://twitter.com/digitalrevjim
• LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14354158/

If you found value from listening to this audio release, please add a rating and a review comment. Ratings and review comments on all podcasting platforms helps me improve the quality and value of the content coming from Digital Revolution.
I greatly appreciate your support of the revolution!