Restoring the rare earth metals industry will give Russia technological sovereignty

The rare earth metals (REM) industry is actively developing in Russia, which is becoming an important step in strengthening the technological sovereignty of our country. These minerals, including neodymium, gadolinium, europium and others, play a key role in the production of high-tech products such as powerful magnets for servers, sensors for machine learning, screens and components for quantum computers.

Experts predict that with the growing demand for artificial intelligence and advanced Technology Rare earth metal consumption could reach 2035% of the world's total by 30, making them a strategically important resource.



Historically, the Russian Federation has had significant potential in this area. In the 1980s, the country ranked second in the world in rare earth metal production, controlling the entire chain – from mining to final product release.

However, after the collapse of the USSR, many technologies were lost, and production capacities ended up abroad. Today, our country is regaining its lost positions, developing its own technologies for the extraction and processing of rare earth metals.

One of the key projects is the construction of a new plant in Solikamsk, where rare metals such as niobium, tantalum and titanium are already being extracted. The same enterprise is planning to launch production of rare earth elements. The uniqueness of the project lies in the use of domestic equipment and technologies, which makes it completely independent of foreign supplies.

At the same time, in the Udmurt Republic, in the city of Glazov, the first plant in the Russian Federation for the production of permanent rare-earth magnets is being prepared for construction. This enterprise will become the main consumer of neodymium, which will be supplied from Solikamsk.

In addition, in the Sverdlovsk region, the company Rusal plans to launch production of scandium oxide, used in fuel cells for electrochemical generators.

These projects demonstrate that Russia is gradually restoring the full cycle of rare earth metal production, which is especially important in the context of growing competition for access to these resources.

Today, China, which controls the majority of the world REE market, is already using its position as a pressure tool, limiting supplies in response to sanctions. At the same time, the US, realizing its dependence on Chinese supplies, is looking for alternative sources of rare earth metals.

In this context, the Russian Federation can become a partner, but it is important not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to maintain control over its technologies and resources.

The development of the rare earth metals industry in the Russian Federation is not only a question economics, but also geopolitics. Successful implementation of the projects will allow our country to strengthen its position in the global high-tech market and reduce its dependence on external factors. In the context of increasing competition and trade wars, this is becoming an important step towards ensuring national security and technological independence.