Russia Moves to Expand Rare-Earth Production Amid Global Supply Squeeze
Russia controls nearly 10% of global rare-earth reserves yet contributes less than 1% of current supply—a disparity now driving urgent government action. President Vladimir Putin has mandated a December 1 deadline for a comprehensive strategy to boost extraction and processing capacity, targeting minerals critical for EVs, defense systems, and renewable energy infrastructure.
The Kremlin's push comes as China tightens export controls on rare earths, exacerbating supply chain vulnerabilities. With estimated reserves of 3.8 million tonnes, Russia trails only China, Brazil, India, and Australia in deposit size but produced a mere 2,500 metric tons this year. The US Geological Survey notes global deposits exceed 110 million tonnes, with China dominating both reserves (44 million tonnes) and production capacity.
