Company Interview / The heavy metal shift to break China's rare earths dominance

Key points:

Strategic importance of Greenland’s Tanbreez heavy rare earths deposit to Western supply chains View that Middle East conflict is boosting demand for defence‑related rare earth materials Ambition for Tanbreez to challenge Chinese dominance in heavy rare earths Plan for vertical integration and diversified offtake across US, EU and Saudi buyers

Critical Metals (ASDAQ: CRML) Executive Chairman Tony Sage outlines an ambitious plan for Critical Metals’ Greenland-based Tanbreez project, describing it as one of the largest heavy rare earths deposits outside China and Russia. Sage views Greenland as strategically vital due to growing US and NATO interest in Arctic control and long‑standing American military presence. He states that the “real prize” is securing Western supply of heavy rare earths critical for defence, aerospace and nuclear industries.

Sage argues that current conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are accelerating demand for materials such as terbium, niobium, gallium and hafnium used in missiles, drones, submarines and nuclear reactors. He notes China currently dominates heavy rare earths supply and suggests Tanbreez could eventually provide around half of global heavy rare earths output, significantly reducing Western reliance on Chinese supply.

Following Greenland government approval for full control of Tanbreez, Sage highlights a sharp move in Critical Metals’ share price and sets out a timeline: licences this year, construction next year, and first ore to processing facilities by mid‑to‑late 2029. He points to strong funding prospects from Western government programmes, including Australia, the EU, Japan and South Korea, and stresses a vertically integrated model, supplying US groups including RE Alloys and Nucor, Saudi interests, and European partners via a Romanian agreement.