Rare earth elements drive the backbone of today’s technology, from smartphones and electric vehicles to military hardware and medical devices. These 17 metals, with their unique magnetic and chemical traits, keep industries running smoothly. Yet global reserves stand at just over 90 million metric tons, and at today’s mining pace, they could dwindle in a few decades.
China has held the reins on this market for years, extracting nearly 3.5 million metric tons between 1994 and 2024 alone—far outpacing the United States.
Beyond mining, Beijing commands most of the world’s refining, turning raw ore into usable products. This setup leaves America exposed, especially in defense where permanent magnets and alloys rely on steady supplies, or in renewables where turbines and motors demand these materials without interruption.
Recent export curbs from China on key rare earths for magnets only tighten the squeeze, forcing manufacturers to scramble amid price swings and political tensions. The U.S. remains 93% dependent on imports for these elements, alongside graphite, putting national interests at risk from a single foreign power.
That vulnerability may soon crack, thanks to findings at Alaska’s Graphite Creek deposit near Nome. Graphite One Inc., the company behind the project, recently confirmed rare earth elements embedded in garnet-bearing rock at the site, already known as the largest graphite reserve in the country. Early tests reveal concentrations of neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium—crucial for high-tech applications.
“The presence of Rare Earths at Graphite Creek suggests that recovery as a by-product to our graphite production will maximize the value.”
This isn’t just a mineral strike; it’s a strategic pivot. The deposit qualifies under the Defense Production Act, signaling its role in bolstering domestic security. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy spotlighted the project in his State of the State address, pushing for swift progress with backing from state and federal levels. Policies under President Donald Trump have sped up such efforts, prioritizing American soil for critical resources and cutting red tape that once stalled exploration.
Extracting these elements won’t come easy. Conventional methods churn out thousands of tons of toxic waste per usable ton. But advances in cleaner techniques, like pulling metals from recycled electronics, offer a path forward. Pairing this Arctic haul with recycling processes could minimize fallout while delivering steady output.
Tapping Graphite Creek means more than jobs in Alaska—it rebuilds U.S. supply chains from the ground up. Domestic mining and refining would shield against bans or manipulations, fostering investor trust and industrial growth. With processing plants eyed for states like Ohio, the full chain stays on home turf, echoing what China has mastered but now within reach for America.
Similar veins have turned up elsewhere, like in Pennsylvania’s old coal fields where up to 17 rare earths lurk in wastewater and ash. Pilot programs there, kickstarted years ago, hint at broader potential. Yet Alaska’s scale stands out, especially amid whispers that foreign interests have long worked to keep such sites underdeveloped through regulatory hurdles or market flooding.
In the end, securing these resources bolsters everything from energy independence to defense readiness. Nations that lock down their own supplies don’t wait on others’ whims—they forge ahead. Alaska’s find opens that door, positioning the U.S. to reclaim leadership in a field too vital to outsource.
