A North American company that mines graphite has discovered vast reserves of rare earth metals at one of its mining sites in Alaska.
On Nov. 13, the graphite miner Graphite One announced that it had identified rare earth elements (REEs), in addition to plain ol’ graphite, at its Graphite Creek deposit near Nome, Alaska.
That graphite and REEs were found together was considered a blessing.
“The presence of two Defense Production Act Title III materials – graphite and REEs – in a single deposit further underscores Graphite Creek’s position as a truly generational deposit,” Graphite One president Anthony Huston said in a press release.
“Given the robust economics of our planned complete graphite materials supply chain, the presence of Rare Earths at Graphite Creek suggests that recovery as a by-product to our graphite production will maximize the value,” he added.
Graphite One $GPH.V | $GPHOF Confirms the Presence of Rare Earth Elements at its Graphite Creek Deposit
▶️ Full Release: https://t.co/304xWXVM4Z pic.twitter.com/YE6KXvtmkr
— Graphite One (@GraphiteOne) November 13, 2025
Defense Production Act Title III materials are critical materials, components, and technologies that the feds have identified as essential for national security, where domestic supply is insufficient or vulnerable, and where Title III funding is being used to expand or secure production.
REEs are especially invaluable.
The Graphite One press release accurately notes that REEs such as “neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, and samarium” form the “essential building blocks of powerful permanent magnets.”
These magnets are used in “wind turbines, electric vehicles, and advanced defense systems such as precision-guided munitions and radar.”
REEs also “enable high-performance fiber optics, lasers, catalysts, and phosphors in displays and lighting.”
“Their distinct magnetic, optical, and catalytic properties make them indispensable across military applications and commercial electronics, renewable energy, and telecommunications – underscoring their strategic importance to U.S industry and national security,” the press release points out.
This recent discovery portends badly for China, which has tried to bully the world through its graphite and REE dominance.
China has 44 million metric tons of Rare Earth reserves, more than double the next highest country (Brazil). pic.twitter.com/OERyfpIImk
— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) October 21, 2025
Last year, China instituted export limits on REEs and drastically tightened its graphite exports. This year, it doubled down.
China specifically said it would begin requiring licenses for anyone wishing to export “any products containing over 0.1% of domestically-sourced rare earths, or manufactured using China’s extraction, refining, magnet-making, or recycling technology.”
The Trump administration has pushed back by reaching out to other countries that mine REEs.
In October, for example, President Donald Trump signed a deal with Australia that will grant the U.S. access to the nation’s rare earth minerals in exchange for Australia investing in America’s defense companies.
“In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical minerals and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them,” Trump said.
President Trump announces a new deal with Australia on critical and rare earth minerals:
“In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them—they’ll be worth about 2 dollars.” pic.twitter.com/7jqf0yvmsC
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 20, 2025
The president was hopefully right.
As it currently stands, America is still highly dependent on China for its rare earth metals/REEs.
Case in point via CNN: “[I]n a [recent] note … Goldman Sachs estimated that disruption to just 10% of production in industries dependent on these elements could wipe out $150 billion in US economic output.”
Some critics warn that the deal with Australia won’t be enough, even in the short term.
“I don’t think that the rare earth supply issues can be solved in the short term, period,” Australian National University economic geology professor John Mavrogenes said. “China is too far ahead of the world.”
“I’d say we’re a decade away [from building up the required production capacity], even if we really got serious. We’d have to make an industry from scratch. And that takes a lot of dedication and long-term planning, and a lot of effort,” he added.
Others say building up the required production capacity would be possible if regulations were simply loosened.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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