The United States is rushing to invest millions — if not billions — in a bid to secure self-reliance in rare earth minerals, but experts caution that such independence will not be easily achieved anytime soon. Rare earths are present everywhere in people's daily life. They are found in items as mundane as cabinet door magnets bought online, and in essentials such as smartphones and cars. On a grander scale, they are necessary for making military weapons that the US is shipping in large volumes to the world's hottest conflict zones. China, the world's largest supplier of rare earths, has strengthened export management ... (full story)