“希少”ではないレアメタル──レアメタルとレアアースの本当の違い

Many people think “rare metals” are rare because they hardly exist. This episode explains why that idea is wrong. “Rare” actually means difficult to separate, refine, and use industrially. Metals often exist in ores, but in tiny concentrations and tightly mixed with similar elements, making purification complex. Rare earths are a specific group of 17 elements whose separation requires advanced chemical technology. The real resource competition is not about who owns mines, but who controls refining and separation processes. This is why countries with strong processing capabilities dominate supply chains. Understanding this changes how you read news about resources and geopolitics.