From Brasília to Seoul, countries are ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in rare earths, as India, Brazil, and South Korea push new alliances to secure critical mineral supply chains. Meanwhile, Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths, the largest miner in the sector outside China, reported soaring profits this week.
Rare Earths: India and Brazil Seek to Challenge China’s Dominance
Brazil and India aim to strengthen cooperation in the field of critical minerals, including rare earths. The agreement is intended to help establish new, resilient supply chains, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while hosting Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a three-day state visit. Both countries possess enormous reserves of these minerals, which remain largely untapped, and aim to benefit much more from their resources.
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Rising Demand for Rare Earths: Lynas Increases Revenue and Profit
Western industry is increasingly seeking alternatives to rare earth supplies from China, a trend that is clearly benefiting the Australian producer Lynas Rare Earths. In its half-year results released today, the company reported a significant increase in revenue, operating earnings, and net profit. However, analysts had expected even stronger performance.
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K-Pop, Semiconductors and Rare Earths: Brazil and South Korea Seek Closer Ties
After strengthening cooperation with India, Brazil is now also seeking closer collaboration with South Korea on critical raw materials, according to the Korea Times. At a summit meeting in Seoul, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his counterpart Lee Jae Myung agreed on a four-year plan to deepen cooperation in strategically important resources, environmental issues, and cultural exchange.
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Lithium, Platinum, and More: Zimbabwe Bans Exports of Unprocessed Minerals
Zimbabwe has immediately suspended the export of all unprocessed minerals and lithium concentrates, a move aimed at boosting domestic processing and value creation. The country is Africa’s largest producer of the battery metal lithium and one of the world’s leading producers of platinum group metals, with gold, chromium, and diamonds also among its key mining outputs.
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MP Materials: Government Support Pays Off — But Initially Weighs on Revenue
MP Materials reported its latest quarterly results on Thursday, becoming the second major Western rare earths producer to do so this week. In Q4 2025, the company returned to profitability but recorded a 14 percent year-on-year decline in revenue, citing its decision to halt concentrate shipments to China — a condition of its strategic partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense. The agreement’s price guarantees have begun to support earnings. The results highlight MP Materials’ strategic shift toward higher-value processed products, particularly for magnet production.
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