When it comes to rare earth minerals the USA lacks knowledge not minerals

[DOC]

Why the U.S. Lacks Rare Earth Mining Know-How-and What Must Be Done

The U.S. faces critical challenges in rare earth supply chain independence, requiring comprehensive education, investment, and strategic partnerships across mining, processing, and manufacturing.

rareearthexchanges.com

• The United States remains dangerously underprepared in rare earth elements, with China dominating the entire supply chain from mining to magnet production.
• Critical gaps exist across upstream (mining), midstream (refining), and downstream (manufacturing) sectors, requiring significant investment in education and infrastructure.
• Solving the rare earth challenge demands a holistic approach focused on building knowledge, training workforce, and creating integrated industrial capabilities.

 

[John]

Exactly @DOC

The USA only has to look back to the Cold War....to see what happens when you become dependant on your adversary....

Titanium and the SR-71 Blackbird
When the U.S. developed the SR-71 Blackbird, they needed massive amounts of titanium — but most of the world’s supply was controlled by the Soviet Union. Ironically, to build a plane designed to spy on the Soviets, the U.S. had to secretly buy titanium from them.

Using a network of front companies, the CIA quietly sourced Soviet titanium through third-party countries, hiding its true destination. The materials were funneled back to Lockheed’s Skunk Works, where they became the backbone of the Blackbird’s frame.

Without Soviet titanium, the SR-71 might never have flown. In one of the Cold War’s strangest twists, the USSR unknowingly helped the U.S. build the plane that watched them from the edge of space.


Maybe the CIA already have something like this set up in Myanmar?

PS my fav aircraft of all time....