Transforming natural resources into industrial advantage: the case of China’s rare earths industry

Abstract

RESUMo: Este artigo analisa o desenvolvimento da indústria de terras raras da China, destacando o papel de iniciativas estatais na transição deste país de exportador de terras raras para grande consumidor industrial dessas matérias-primas. Tal como outras potências industriais no passado, a China se aproveita de suas reservas de matérias-primas estratégicas, disponíveis em grande quantidade e a baixo custo de produção no território chinês, para promover setores de maior valor agregado. Argumentamos que, no caso de terras raras, esta estratégia tem sido bem-sucedida, rompendo com uma divisão internacional clássico do trabalho que existia antes de 2000, em que a China exportava a maior parte de sua produção de terras raras para países ricos, e transformando as empresas chinesas em exportadores a jusante de produtos mais sofisticados. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: terras raras, política industrial, progresso técnico, tecnologias verde.ABSTRACT: This paper analyzes the development of China's rare earths industry, emphasizing the role of state technological initiatives in the country's transition from rare earth exporter to large industrial consumer of these raw materials. Like other industrial powers before it, China takes advantage of low-cost domestic supplies of strategic raw materials to promote higher value-added manufacturing. We argue that, in the case of rare earths, this strategy has been largely successful, disrupting a classic international division of labor that existed prior to 2000, in which China exported most of its rare earth output to wealthy countries, and transforming Chinese firms into exporters of more sophisticated downstream products.

Characterisation of rare earth elements and toxic heavy metals in coal and coal fly ash

“…7,8 While there is a projected surge in demand over the coming decades for use in high-tech devices, there are growing concerns over REE sustainability, processing technologies, supply stability, geopolitics and trade policies. 4,9 Consequently, there is a renewed stimulus for researchers and commercial institutions around the world to secure economically sustainable REE supplies, through research and development efforts focused on improving REE recovery methods, recycling, and alternate sources. 10 Amongst these are a growing number of ‘unconventional sources’ of REEs, such as coal and coal fly ash.…”

A Review on Green Technology Practices at BRICS Countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa

“…In this context, this study is justified by the gap in the research area, considering the limitation of studies that investigate the set of Green Technology practices in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries, which stood out on the world stage for the rapid growth of their developing economies (de Medeiros & Trebat, 2017). Thus, the research makes it possible to understand which are the drivers that contribute to the theoretical and methodological direction used in research on this theme (Díaz-García et al, 2015).…”