Chasing China’s Monazite Monopoly

China maintains a dominant position in the global rare-earths industry, largely through the processing of monazite ore. While environmental concerns regarding radioactive waste, such as the toxic Weikuang Dam, have led China to restrict stand-alone monazite mining, the country continues to process vast quantities of the material. The Bayan Obo complex in Inner Mongolia serves as the primary domestic source, producing significant amounts of rare-earth elements essential for modern technology. Furthermore, China imports tens of thousands of tonnes of monazite annually, often bypassing strict regulations by importing heavy mineral sands that contain the ore. As Western nations invest billions to diversify their rare-earths supply chains, China’s historical management of monazite and its complex regulatory landscape provide critical lessons. The reliance on this radioactive ore highlights the environmental and logistical challenges inherent in securing the materials necessary for the global transition to advanced green technologies.