China released the first batch of December export data this week, showing that rare earth exports reached a record high for full-year 2025 despite tighter controls. Meanwhile, the Australian government provided further details on its planned critical minerals reserve, with an initial focus on rare earths, gallium, and antimony.
Record Year for China’s Rare Earth Exports – Despite Export Restrictions
Despite the export restrictions imposed in April, China’s rare earth exports reached a record level last year. In 2025, the country shipped 62,585 metric tons of these materials abroad, an increase of nearly 13 percent compared with 2024, according to the latest data from China’s General Administration of Customs. A closer look at the monthly figures, however, reveals pronounced volatility.
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Australia to Launch Critical Minerals Reserve with Rare Earths, Gallium, and Antimony
Australia is planning to establish a strategic raw-materials reserve. The first materials to be included will be rare earths, gallium, and antimony, all sourced from domestic production. Several government ministers announced this in a joint statement. The strategic stockpile is also intended to help stabilize the supply chains of partner countries.
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U.S. Government Takes Stake in Aluminum Producer to Scale Gallium Production
The U.S. government has made another move to secure the domestic supply of critical minerals, taking a $150 million equity stake in Atlantic Alumina Co. (ATALCO), according to Bloomberg. The investment will fund the establishment of the country’s first large-scale gallium production facility in Gramercy, Louisiana, alongside a $300 million contribution from a private investment company.
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U.S. Opts for Negotiations on Critical Mineral Imports
The U.S. administration has held off on imposing immediate tariffs on imports of processed critical minerals following a comprehensive national security review. The U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products pose a significant risk to national security due to heavy reliance on foreign suppliers and limited domestic processing capacity. However, rather than resorting to tariffs at this stage, the administration will seek negotiations with foreign trading partners to secure reliable material streams and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
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Korea Zinc Partners With U.S. Firm to Build Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Facility
Korea Zinc has partnered with U.S.-based Alta Resource Technologies to establish a joint venture in the United States focused on recycling rare earth permanent magnets and producing purified rare earth oxides. The facility will process up to 100 tons of magnet material per year and will be built at an existing U.S. recycling site operated by PedalPoint, Korea Zinc’s wholly owned subsidiary. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027.
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