Rare Earth Exchanges

Rare Earth Exchanges

We're taking you to the heart of one of the most critical and underappreciated battles shaping our modern world: the rare earth element supply chain. Discover the high-stakes dynamics that are fueling international competition, from China’s commanding grip on processing, refining, and value-added production of rare earth elements to the industries and innovations that depend on these indispensable resources. Each week, we expose the geoscience, geopolitics, and economic forces behind the West's growing reliance on China—forces that are hidden in plain sight but impossible to ignore.

Episodes

October 30, 2025 26 mins

Highlights

  • Buckstop aims to enable a sustainable end of life for electronic devices.
  • The company focuses on asset valuation rather than processing or recycling.
  • AI plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy of asset valuations.
  • The US has a low electronic waste recycling rate compared to other regions.
  • Understanding the residual value of assets can drive better recycling practices.
  • Buckstop's appraisal engine helps companies ...
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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Utkarsh Singh's journey reflects a commitment to social welfare and environmental sustainability.
  • BatX focuses on recycling critical materials from lithium-ion batteries to promote a circular economy.
  • The global lithium supply chain is heavily dominated by China, especially in refining.
  • India is poised to become a significant player in battery recycling and critical mineral extraction.
  • The technology used by BatX is energ...
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Highlights

  • AML Magnetics was founded in 1995, focusing on high-energy physics.
  • Wade Senti joined AML in 2017, following his father's passing.
  • The company aims to reduce labor costs in magnet production.
  • Customization is key in the magnet market, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
  • The defense sector is a primary target market for AML Magnetics.
  • PM wire is a unique process for producing magnets with innovative configurat...
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Highlights

  • Turkey is strategically located next to Europe, making it a key player in critical minerals.
  • The country has a diverse mineral portfolio, but much of it remains untapped.
  • Turkey's rare earth deposits are not well understood, with limited downstream processing capabilities.
  • Electric vehicle adoption is growing, but infrastructure challenges remain.
  • The government is focusing on renewable energy and energy independence.
  • ...
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Highlights

  • Koch Modular specializes in modular EPC for chemical process facilities.
  • Liquid-liquid extraction is a key technology for rare earth separation.
  • Rare earth elements are challenging to separate due to their similar properties.
  • The demand for rare earths has increased significantly in recent years.
  • Koch Modular's technology can reduce the footprint and capital expenditure for rare earth processing.
  • The company is activel...
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Highlights

  • Ionic Rare Earths is focused on heavy rare earths and recycling.
  • The Makutu asset in Uganda is development-ready and strategically important.
  • Heavy rare earths are crucial for military and defense applications.
  • The company can sustain a significant portion of US demand for heavy rare earths.
  • Recycling technology is gaining traction and is a priority for governments.
  • Ionic is building partnerships in Brazil to enhance recyc...
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Highlights

  • Permitting for projects can take up to 29 years.
  • The goal is to reduce permitting timelines to three years.
  • 85-90% of rare earth oxides are controlled by China.
  • The U.S. is highly dependent on China for rare earth elements.
  • A comprehensive industrial policy is needed for independence.
  • Emergency funding of $25-50 billion is necessary.
  • A crisis may trigger significant government action.
  • Private sector involvement is crucial fo...
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Highlights

  • The federal government often acts as an impediment to project permitting.
  • A cultural shift is needed to prioritize 'yes' in permitting processes.
  • Recent reforms have aimed to streamline the NEPA process.
  • The average time to permit a mine in the U.S. is 29 years.
  • The goal is to reduce the average permitting time to three years.
  • Transparency in the permitting process can expedite approvals.
  • Interagency coordination is...
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Highlights

  • Attero is a leading player in critical minerals recycling.
  • The company has over 46 granted global patents.
  • Attero recycles a wide range of electronic waste.
  • Their recovery rates are significantly higher than global averages.
  • China controls over 90% of the rare earth supply chain.
  • Attero's technology allows for efficient urban mining.
  • The company is looking to expand operations in the US and Europe.
  • Carbon credits are a susta...
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Highlights

  • Mark Jensen has over 22 years of experience in the mining sector.
  • American Resources focuses on producing rare earth elements domestically.
  • The company utilizes innovative chromatography technology developed at Purdue University.
  • Environmental sustainability is a key focus in their production processes.
  • Scalability is achieved through modular production systems.
  • The defense industry is a significant market for rare earth e...
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Highlights

  • Gasbarre is poised for growth in magnet production.
  • MP Materials has seen significant stock growth recently.
  • Investment opportunities are emerging in the rare earth sector.
  • The U.S. needs a strong industrial policy to compete with China.
  • Talent development is crucial for the rare earth industry.
  • Global strategies for mineral autonomy are being discussed.
  • The importance of recycling in the rare earth supply chain.
  • Investors s...
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Highlights

  • Kalen Fitch has been with Gasbarre for three years, focusing on powder compaction solutions.
  • Gasbarre is involved in the production of neodymium iron boron magnets.
  • The U.S. is heavily reliant on China for magnet production and technology.
  • There is a growing demand for domestically produced magnets due to supply chain risks.
  • Gasbarre is working on scaling up production to meet increasing customer demands.
  • The company faces...
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Highlights

  • The rare earth market is rapidly evolving with significant government involvement.
  • The US Department of Defense is investing heavily in rare earth production.
  • International collaborations are crucial for diversifying supply chains.
  • China continues to dominate the rare earth market, controlling a significant percentage of production.
  • India is emerging as a key player in the rare earth sector.
  • Automotive companies are facing...
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In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-host Daniel O'Connor engage with Jenny Qiu, an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, to discuss her groundbreaking research on the recovery of rare earth elements from electronic waste. The conversation explores the importance of rare earth elements in modern technology, the challenges of current recycling methods, and innovative approaches bei...

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Highlights

  • Harriet Hageman is Wyoming's representative in the U.S. House.
  • Wyoming is becoming a key player in rare earth elements.
  • The state has a significant federal land footprint affecting mining.
  • Navigating federal regulations is a major challenge for mining operations.
  • Local communities face housing and infrastructure challenges due to mining.
  • Processing rare earth elements requires significant resources and technology.
  • Workforce...
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Highlights

  • Arafura is at a pivotal moment in the rare earth sector.
  • China controls nearly 90% of the rare earth market.
  • Arafura's project is the most advanced and construction-ready.
  • The company aims to bypass China's supply chain.
  • Economic imperatives are driving changes in the rare earth market.
  • Arafura aspires to become a processing hub for rare earths.
  • Government support is crucial for the success of the sector.
  • The West i...
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This conversation explores the emerging rare earth elements industry in Pennsylvania, focusing on innovative extraction techniques, government support, and collaborative efforts among academia, industry, and economic development organizations. The discussion highlights the importance of establishing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals, the role of pilot projects in advancing technology, and the need for workforce developm...

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In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, hosts Dustin Olsen and Daniel discuss recent developments in the rare earth market, including insights from a conversation with expert Ian on China's influence in the supply chain. They analyze the implications of the recent trade agreements and the 'Big Beautiful Bill' aimed at boosting US critical mineral production. The conversation also covers global mining develo...

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In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-hosts Daniel O'Connor and John Parkinson engage with Ian Murphy, a China subject matter expert, to discuss the critical issues surrounding rare earth supply chains, China's strategic dominance, and the implications for U.S. national security. The conversation delves into China's demographic challenges, the importance of innovation, and the need for strong...

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In this episode, Dustin and Daniel discuss the latest developments in the rare earth industry, including insights from a recent interview with Buz Barstow, the impact of trade wars on the automotive sector, and the challenges posed by China's dominance in rare earth production. They also explore innovations in recycling rare earth materials and the importance of international relations in securing supply chains. The conversatio...

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