The world’s top processor of rare earths, China, has banned the export of technology to extract and separate the strategic metals. China’s stated aims include protecting national security and public interest.
The ban is expected to have the biggest impact on so-called “heavy rare earths”, where China has a virtual monopoly on refining.
The commerce ministry also banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals and alloy materials, as well as technology to prepare some rare earth magnets.
Rare earth is used in high-technology devices, including smartphones, digital cameras, computer hard disks, fluorescent and light-emitting-diode (LED) lights, flat-screen televisions, computer monitors, and electronic displays.
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