Mastodawn

The plight of laborers in the #DRC is appalling. They are caught between #China, which has long been aware of how vital these #minerals are, and a belated awareness of their importance in the #USA (motivating Trump's affinity for #Greenland, with the word "security" meaning "ownership of minerals" rather than simply "military presence"). Having moronically destabilised #Europe, #Trump probably sees exploitation of the DRC as some kind of safety valve. #NATO #uspol https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/08/the-guardian-view-on-the-scramble-for-critical-minerals-while-powers-vie-for-access-labourers-die

The Guardian view on the scramble for critical minerals: while powers vie for access, labourers die

Editorial: A mining disaster in the Democratic Republic of Congo underscores the human cost of extraction. Intensified competition for resources isn’t helping

The Guardian

epichon 3d ago

China’s Critical Minerals Strategy in #Africa – #China has gained a dominant position in Africa’s critical #minerals sector through long-term investments in mining and refining capacity— this makes it challenging for African countries to advance up the value chain. https://africacenter.org/spotlight/china-africa-critical-minerals/

China’s Critical Minerals Strategy in Africa

China has gained a dominant position in Africa’s critical minerals sector through long-term investments in mining and refining capacity.

Africa Center

Trevor McLeod 3d ago

#mining of #rareearths and #minerals in #greenland is no easy matter

#environment

https://e360.yale.edu/features/greenland-critical-minerals

U.S. Push for Greenland’s Minerals Faces Harsh Arctic Realities

President Trump has made access to Greenland’s vast reserves of critical minerals a focus of ongoing negotiations. But experts say the U.S. is underestimating the difficulties of mining in a rapidly changing Arctic region that is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth.

Yale E360

Geology Wonders 4d ago

Gorgeous purple polished Labradorite.

📷 superseven.cn

#minerals #geology

cobalt 4d ago

A group of malachite specimens all in vertical images. Malachite comes in so many astonishing forms. These are all shown by the higher end dealer, Marcus Budil. I saw far more malachite from many dealers than is typical. Democratic Republic of Congo is the source for the specimens. You can spot the growing fan base in the specimens shown prominently each year. This is also a big year for fluorite. #Tucson #TucsonGemMinerals #Malachite #Green #Rocks #Minerals #Geology
#DRC #Congo

The State Signal 4d ago

India is planning on developing rare earth minerals‘ corridors in an aim to achieve tech autonomy. https://www.thestatesignal.com/india-planning-to-develop-rare-earth-minerals-corridors-for-tech-autonomy/

#thestatesignal #technology #tech #minerals #rareearth #india #indianEconomy #news #breakingNews #autonomy #economy #trade #finance #defense #independence #internationalnews #localnews #government #environment #politics #modi #narendramodi

India Planning To Develop Rare Earth Minerals' Corridors For Tech Autonomy - The State Signal

INDIA - India is planning on developing rare earth minerals' corridors in an aim to achieve tech autonomy.

The State Signal

The Japan Times 5d ago

The United States has unveiled a critical-minerals partnership with Japan and the European Union amid growing concerns about China's dominant role in the sector. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/02/05/economy/us-japan-eu-critical-minerals-partnership/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #rareearths #minerals #usjapanrelations #eujapanrelations

U.S., EU and Japan unveil critical-minerals partnership

Critical minerals include rare earth metals, which are key to the production of goods like smartphones, fighter jets and electric cars.

The Japan Times

Claudia Zahn Feb 1

🌈 TOURMALINE VARIETIES
Tourmaline holds the widest color range of any gemstone on Earth.
Iron, lithium, chromium, and manganese create everything from jet-black Schorl to neon Paraiba and naturally bi-colored crystals — sometimes all within a single stone.
One mineral. Every color imaginable.
By #GemSpectrum
#Geology #GeologyPage #Nature #Minerals #Crystals #Gems #Nature #NatureLovers #NaturePhotography #Photographer #RockPorn