The United States is facing a looming shortage of critical rare earth minerals, with its defence reserves reportedly lasting only around two months. Amid escalating tensions with Iran, Africa is increasingly being seen as a key alternative source to secure these vital materials.
According to reports from the South China Morning Post, U.S. defence reserves of rare earth elements are reportedly at critically low levels, according to insiders familiar with the matter.
These minerals are vital for modern military technology, playing key roles in missile guidance systems, fighter jets, radar platforms, and secure communications networks.
The vulnerability has become more acute as tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated. U.S. strikes that began on February 28 are estimated to have consumed roughly $5.6 billion in munitions within just a few days, according to Pentagon sources.
Maintaining sufficient stockpiles depends on a reliable supply of rare earths and other strategic minerals, many of which are currently processed or exported through supply chains dominated by China.
China’s control over global mineral supply
China holds a dominant position in the global production and export of numerous rare earth elements and strategic minerals crucial to defence manufacturing.
Materials such as dysprosium, terbium, gallium, and germanium are essential for advanced military applications. Industry estimates indicate that minerals supplied or processed by China are used in more than 75% of U.S. defence platforms, highlighting Beijing’s strategic leverage over global defence production.
China has also imposed export restrictions on several dual-use minerals — those with both civilian and military applications — affecting U.S. military contractors. These measures have raised concerns about the resilience of Western defence supply chains and the ability to restock weapons during prolonged military campaigns.
Beyond rare earths, China exerts significant influence over other critical defence minerals. It produces about 48% of the world’s antimony, a metalloid used to strengthen ammunition alloys, manufacture armour-piercing rounds, and support technologies such as night-vision systems, infrared sensors, and military communications equipment.
Africa’s growing role in strategic minerals
With the U.S. seeking to reduce dependence on China-dominated supply chains, attention is increasingly turning to Africa, which holds some of the world’s largest untapped reserves of strategic minerals.
Nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and South Africa are emerging as key contributors to the global critical minerals market.
The DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a crucial component in batteries and defence applications. Zimbabwe possesses significant lithium reserves, while Namibia and Tanzania are developing rare earth projects aimed at the international market.
South Africa has notable deposits of manganese, platinum group metals, and antimony, all essential for advanced industrial and military technologies. Botswana has recently drawn attention after revealing a major rare earth deposit containing all 15 rare earth elements. Early evaluations indicate the site may also contain copper, cobalt, nickel, and vanadium, positioning Botswana as an emerging player in global critical mineral supply chains.
Increasing global competition for African resources
China has spent more than twenty years establishing a strong presence in Africa’s mining industry through infrastructure investment, state-backed companies, and long-term extraction agreements.
In response, the U.S. is stepping up engagement with African governments and international partners to secure alternative sources of critical minerals and expand supply chains outside Chinese influence.
As global demand for rare earths continues to rise, Africa’s vast mineral resources are becoming increasingly central to international industrial, technological, and defence supply networks.