China bans export of rare earths processing tech over national security

China introduced export permits for chipmaking materials gallium and germanium in August, followed by similar requirements for several types of graphite since Dec 1. - Reuters

BEIJING: China, the world's top processor of rare earths, banned the export of technology to extract and separate the critical materials on Thursday (Dec 21), the country's latest step to protect its dominance over several strategic metals.

Rare earths are a group of 17 metals used to make magnets that turn power into motion for use in electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronics.