Overview

• Announcing the move at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Vladimir Putin told officials to present a rare-earth sector development programme by November.
• Russia says it will increase production to reduce imports from China, with reports noting the country holds the world’s fifth-largest rare-earth reserves.
• The United States and Ukraine recently signed an investment agreement granting Washington access to Ukrainian mineral projects in exchange for financial or military support to Kyiv.
• Under the pact, Ukraine would allocate half of royalties from future oil, gas and mineral licences, and the list currently covers 55 minerals including rare earths, titanium, lithium and uranium.
• Rare earths power technologies from lasers and computer chips to military equipment, and China’s dominant processing role and tighter export restrictions have heightened the urgency to diversify supply.