China, Iran team up to explore and process rare earths amid global supply race

China and Iran are expanding scientific cooperation into the strategically important field of rare earths, with a new joint program covering the exploration and processing of the critical metals. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Iran National Science Foundation have selected rare earth exploration and processing as one of five areas for their latest joint workshops. The program comes as China faces growing international pressure over its control of rare earth mining, refining and processing technologies. Under the program, the Chinese side will provide 30,000 yuan, or about $4,200, for each workshop. The funding will cover meetings, accommodation and domestic travel, while Iran’s science foundation will support international travel for Iranian participants and accommodation for Chinese researchers visiting Iran. The cooperation could become significant because rare earths are essential to technologies ranging from powerful magnets and electronics to radar, missiles and fighter aircraft. China currently dominates much of the global supply chain, particularly the processing stage. Rare earths enter new territory China has increasingly restricted the overseas transfer of technologies used to process rare earths. Its export controls have also highlighted how heavily manufacturers in the US and other countries depend on Chinese supplies. Iran, meanwhile, has geological formations that could contain significant rare earth resources, although its commercial potential remains poorly understood. Exploration has identified rare earth anomalies across roughly 7,000 square kilometers in central Iran, according to a February analysis by the Netherlands-based Hague Research Institute. Finding deposits, however, is only the first step. Iran’s ability to extract and process rare earth elements remains at an early stage and is far from industrial scale. That makes processing technology a particularly important part of the new cooperation. Developing efficient methods to separate rare earth elements from ore is technically difficult and can be a major barrier to building a domestic supply chain. The two countries have already worked together on scientific projects for years. Their national science foundations signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing in 2017. “Iran is an important country in the Belt and Road Initiative,” the NSFC said on its website. “The signing of the MOU will … promote the science and technology cooperation between the two countries and create benefits to the people.” Beijing deepens strategic research The latest program extends cooperation beyond rare earths. The other selected areas include nanomaterials for disease detection, pollution monitoring, earthquake-resistant construction and greener manufacturing. The joint workshop program itself began in 2024, initially covering areas such as climate change, advanced materials and manufacturing. Earlier joint research has also covered mathematics, biology, medicine, renewable energy and materials science. The timing of the rare earths cooperation is notable. The US is seeking to strengthen domestic critical-mineral supply chains and reduce its dependence on China. The Trump administration recently announced $3 billion in investments targeting critical-mineral and battery projects. China’s position gives it significant leverage. Rare earths comprise 17 metals with unusual magnetic and electronic properties, making them important for both civilian technologies and military systems. For Iran, cooperation with China could provide access to expertise needed to better understand its own deposits and eventually develop processing capabilities. For China, the partnership could expand scientific links with a country that has potentially significant mineral resources but limited industrial processing capacity.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.