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Rare metals are essential materials for advanced industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace machinery, and refining. Amid the complex international landscape, the importance of rare metals is becoming increasingly prominent, prompting global efforts to strengthen their supply chains.
Recently, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy established the Rare Metals Industry Development Association, aiming to analyze and assess the country’s rare metals supply chain and related technologies to respond to changes in the international market.
The South Korean industry believes that while the country has a well-developed semiconductor and battery sector, its demand for rare metals will continue to grow.
However, South Korea is highly dependent on imports, with limited domestic rare metal reserves and underdeveloped mining and refining technologies. As a result, achieving economically viable extraction remains challenging, making the stable supply of rare metals crucial for the country.
What Are Rare Metals? How Do They Contribute to Semiconductor Development?
Rare metals refer to metallic elements that exist in low concentrations in the Earth’s crust, are widely dispersed, and are difficult to extract. They are mainly categorized as follows:
Platinum group metals: Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Osmium (Os), Iridium (Ir).
Rare earth elements: Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd).
Refractory metals: Titanium (Ti), Zirconium (Zr), Hafnium (Hf), Tungsten (W), Molybdenum (Mo).
Scattered metals: Gallium (Ga), Indium (In), Germanium (Ge).
Radioactive metals: Uranium (U), Thorium (Th).
Other strategic metals: Lithium (Li), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni).
As irreplaceable key materials in semiconductor manufacturing, rare metals are used in various semiconductor products. Representative materials include gallium (Ga), indium (In), germanium (Ge), and antimony (Sb).
Gallium (Ga), known as the “backbone of the electronics industry,” is primarily used to produce compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃). These compounds are widely applied in solar panels, lasers, night vision devices, and computer chips, playing a critical role in the development of next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics industries.
Antimony (Sb) can be used as a dopant in silicon to manufacture n-type semiconductors and enhance conductivity. Indium antimonide (InSb) is utilized in infrared detectors and optoelectronic devices.
Germanium (Ge), one of the earliest semiconductor materials, is applied in silicon-germanium compounds and fiber optic communications.
China’s Significant Role in the Global Rare Metals Supply Chain
Global rare metals production and reserves are highly concentrated in specific regions. China, Russia, South Africa, and Brazil hold the largest reserves of rare metals.
China possesses substantial rare earth reserves, covering all 17 rare earth elements and advanced refining technology. Additionally, China has abundant reserves of tungsten, antimony, gallium, germanium, tellurium, and other rare metals.
Taking gallium and germanium as examples, China has significant reserves and is a leading global supplier. Gallium’s primary application is in compound semiconductors, with most gallium used in gallium arsenide substrates and gallium nitride epitaxial wafers. These materials are widely employed in microwave radio frequency, optoelectronics, and power electronics.
Russia and South Africa dominate in platinum group metal reserves, while Brazil holds abundant reserves of niobium and lithium.
To address the evolving international landscape, protect the environment, and enhance industrial value chains, China has implemented a series of policies to regulate the rare metals industry and focus on high-end applications.
Industry experts point out that China’s rare metals sector is transitioning from merely being a resource powerhouse to a “technology + standards + recycling” model. Through technological innovation and overseas expansion, China aims to adapt to the shifting global landscape.
(Photo credit: South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy)
