U.S. Launches Tool to Stake Claim to World’s Rare Earth Minerals
- State Department hopes tool to boost access for U.S. investors
- Coronavirus seen raising U.S. focus on secure supply chains
Photographer: Jacob Kepler/Bloomberg
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In a high-tech twist on hammering pickets into the ground, the U.S. State Department has helped launch an online tool aimed at staking America’s claim to many of the world’s rare-earth minerals.
The U.S. has become increasingly concerned about securing a stable supply of critical minerals used in car batteries, solar panels and wind turbines. Many of those resources are located in emerging markets that may be seen as too risky by American investors looking for “best-in-class” standards.