In a world increasingly shaped by the race to secure critical minerals, two major developments—one in South Korea and the United States, the other in Brazil—signal a seismic shift in global supply chains for rare earth elements and strategic metals. As nations scramble to break free from China’s overwhelming dominance in these markets, recent agreements and discoveries point to new alliances and opportunities, but also underscore the immense challenges ahead.
On August 25, 2025, a landmark moment unfolded in Washington, D.C., as Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelter, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lockheed Martin, the American defense giant. According to PR Newswire, this agreement focuses on the supply and procurement of germanium—a rare metal vital for defense and high-tech industries—and broader cooperation on critical minerals. The deal is touted as the first successful Korea-U.S. collaboration in the field of critical rare metals, and it aims to establish a “China-free” supply chain for these strategic resources.
The significance of this pact was underscored by the presence of high-level officials at the signing ceremony, including Yun B. Choi, Chairman of Korea Zinc; Michael Williamson, President of Lockheed Martin International; Ahn Duk-geun, Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Both companies pledged to use the recent Korea-U.S. summit as a springboard for accelerating the creation of a private-sector-led, China-independent supply chain for critical minerals.
Under the terms of the MOU, Korea Zinc will supply Lockheed Martin with germanium smelted entirely outside China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia. Lockheed Martin, in turn, will pursue an off-take agreement, securing priority access to this output. Detailed discussions are now underway to hammer out a long-term contract, according to the companies.
Germanium, as highlighted by PR Newswire, is indispensable for a range of advanced technologies. It’s used in night-vision goggles, thermal imaging cameras, and infrared detectors for defense, as well as in satellite solar panels, high-performance semiconductors, LEDs, fiber optic cables, and superconductors. The urgency of diversifying supply has only grown, given that China currently produces 68% of the world’s refined germanium, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and KOTRA data from 2021.
To meet the rising demand and reduce dependence on China, Korea Zinc plans to invest approximately KRW 140 billion in its Onsan Smelter in Ulsan, South Korea, to build a new germanium plant. Trial operations are set for 2027, with production targeted for the first half of 2028. The goal: produce about 10 tons of high-purity germanium dioxide annually, making Korea Zinc the sole domestic producer of germanium in South Korea.
Korea Zinc’s ambitions don’t stop there. The company has already established itself as the only domestic producer of antimony, indium, and bismuth in South Korea—metals also critical for defense and technology. In June 2025, Korea Zinc shipped 20 tons of antimony to Baltimore, marking its entry into the U.S. market. Plans are in place to ramp up exports to over 100 tons this year and more than 240 tons annually starting next year.
“As a company representing Korea’s national key industries, stabilizing the supply chain for critical minerals is a highly important strategic task for both the government and the private sector in terms of national interest. Through the signing of this MOU with Lockheed Martin, we aim to strengthen the strategic partnership between Korea and the United States while actively contributing to private-sector cooperation in the realm of economic security,” a Korea Zinc representative told PR Newswire.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, Atlas Critical Minerals announced a major breakthrough at its Alto do Paranaíba rare earth elements and titanium project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. According to a company release published by Streetwise Reports, Atlas filed a Technical Report Summary (TRS) confirming high-grade mineralization for both rare earth elements and titanium across its 16 mineral rights in the region. The TRS, prepared by SGS Canada Inc. and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, lays out a three-phase exploration initiative, including 13,000 meters of drilling, drone magnetometry, LiDAR surveys, and metallurgical testing.
The early data is striking: of 809 surface samples analyzed, 608 exceeded 1,000 ppm total rare earth oxide (TREO), 121 topped 3,000 ppm TREO, and 205 contained over 10% titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Block 3, in particular, yielded standout grades—28,870 ppm TREO with 16.5% TiO₂. Initial auger drilling also revealed significant intercepts, such as 12 meters at 5,961 ppm TREO and 13.3% TiO₂, further validating the project’s potential.
Marc Fogassa, Chairman and CEO of Atlas Critical Minerals, called the report “a major milestone,” adding, “We are very encouraged by the consistent high-grade mineralization for rare earths and titanium seen across all tested mineral rights.” The company’s goal is to rapidly issue a resource estimate and develop an integrated mine and processing plant for rare earth oxides and titanium.
Atlas’s project is strategically located within the Mata da Corda Group formation, known for its rare earth and titanium occurrences. The mineralization lies close to the surface, making future open-pit mining feasible. Strong infrastructure—access to power, water, and roads—further boosts the project’s prospects.
The global context makes these discoveries and deals even more urgent. As Fogassa noted, “Global demand for critical minerals has never been more urgent. Recent geopolitical developments have underscored the vital importance of critical minerals for economic and national security.” Rare earth elements are essential for permanent magnets in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and numerous defense applications. Yet China’s grip on the market remains tight, prompting a scramble for alternative sources.
The United States, for its part, is moving to shore up domestic production. The Pentagon recently agreed to purchase $400 million in preferred stock from MP Materials Corp., the only rare earths miner in the U.S., as reported by Streetwise Reports. The funds will be used to boost MP’s processing and manufacturing capabilities, reducing reliance on Chinese refiners. Still, the U.S. faces a steep climb: as Wang Xiaosong, an economics professor at Renmin University of China, told the South China Morning Post, the U.S. is “20 years behind China” in rare earth separation and purification technologies.
Efforts to diversify supplies now include new agreements with countries like Ukraine and potential sourcing from Africa, but experts caution that building the necessary infrastructure could take more than a decade. In the meantime, companies like Atlas Critical Minerals and Korea Zinc are positioning themselves as vital links in a rapidly evolving supply chain, offering hope for greater resilience—and a bit more peace of mind—in an uncertain world.
These developments, from South Korea to Brazil and the United States, reflect a world in flux, where the security of critical mineral supply chains is no longer just an industrial concern but a matter of national strategy and global stability.
