China released its second batch of March export data this week, revealing a sharp drop in gallium and germanium shipments to historic lows. At the same time, the U.S. advanced efforts to diversify its critical mineral supply chains—the details in our roundup:
China: Gallium and Germanium Exports Plummet in March
Chinese exports of the minor metals gallium and germanium fell sharply in March, hitting historic lows, according to newly released customs data. Only 300 kilograms of gallium were shipped during the month—all bound for Germany—while 1,497 kilograms of germanium were exported, with two-thirds destined for Russia. Belgium received most of the remaining volume, with only minor shipments going to other countries.
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MP Materials Suspends Rare Earth Sales to China Amid Tariff Woes
U.S. miner MP Materials has halted rare earth exports to China, due to sharply increased tariffs. While the move cuts off a key revenue stream, the company plans to continue expanding its mid- and downstream processing capabilities in the U.S. Chinese offtaker Shenghe Resources downplayed the impact, citing a well-established, diversified supply network.
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U.S. Fast-Tracks “First Wave” of 10 Critical Minerals Projects
The U.S. government has announced the “first wave” of critical mineral projects selected for expedited permitting, as part of a broader strategy to bolster the nation’s domestic resource sector. The ten projects—spanning copper, lithium, gold, silver, potash, and coal—will benefit from enhanced transparency and streamlining of the federal environmental review process.
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USA: Boost for Rare Earth Recycling
Cyclic Materials has invested over $20 million in its first commercial rare earth recycling facility in the United States. According to the Canadian company, the plant is set to begin operations in early 2026 and will use proprietary technology to process permanent magnets from end-of-life devices. This will help supply critical raw materials for key industries such as wind energy and electric mobility.
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