Russia has the potential to achieve import independence in the rare earth metals (REM) sector through cooperation with the United States, said Antonina Levashenko, head of the Laboratory for the Analysis of Best International Practices at the Gaidar Institute, in a comment to RIA Novosti.
Commenting on possible topics for discussion at the upcoming summit between the Russian and U.S. presidents, Levashenko noted that strategic cooperation between companies from both countries — both suppliers and consumers of REM — could be mutually beneficial.
“The effectiveness of this partnership could help Russia achieve import independence through new technological solutions and reduce China’s monopoly on REM globally,” Levashenko emphasized.
She pointed out that Russian REM deposits are generally of lower ore quality compared to foreign counterparts, requiring non-standard technological solutions. Meanwhile, the U.S. possesses the necessary technologies for REM separation, such as the Mountain Pass project in California, scheduled to go into operation in 2025.
“These REM separation technologies that Russia needs are already being implemented in the U.S.,” Levashenko noted.
She also drew attention to China’s growing presence in the REM sector in Brazil, making U.S.-Russia cooperation in this area even more promising.