Article

The US is attempting to challenge China's control over rare earth minerals by investing in Africa, as demonstrated at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town. A record number of US officials from the State Department and the Department of Energy participated in the conference, aiming to finance the acquisition of Africa's critical minerals.

However, analysts warn that financial support alone may not suffice to dismantle China's near monopoly on rare earth production and processing. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to secure critical mineral supplies amid global competition.