The £125m Yorkshire project aiming to break China’s rare earths stranglehold

The £125m Yorkshire project aiming to break China’s rare earths stranglehold

Rare earth metals are among the most sought-after substances on the planet, powering everything from smartphones to electric cars and wind turbines. Yet few people can name them, let alone explain what they are used for.

And perhaps even fewer know that western countries’ resources are almost entirely dependent on China, which processes around 90pc of supplies.

MPs and security officials say this leaves the UK and its allies potentially vulnerable, as Beijing becomes more assertive on the world stage.