A rarefied opportunity as demand grows

Rare earth elements are crucial for modern economies, with applications in technologies from wind turbines to smartphones. These 17 elements are chemically related and typically found together in mineral deposits. China, the world's largest producer, supplies most of the rare earths, making them increasingly important to the defense industry.

NATO's F-35 fighter jets, for instance, require seven rare earth elements. The United States, Canada, and other Western nations are recognizing their dependence on Chinese rare earth production and are working to diversify their sources. Canada and the U.S. have discovered deposits, and exploration is underway in these nations.

Canada's TSX Venture Exchange hosts junior mining and exploration companies. However, investing in these companies has been high risk and low reward. Lynas Rare Earths, the only large operation outside of China, is an exception. Canadian explorer Defense Metals Corp. saw its share price drop significantly after peaking last year.

Governments are stepping in to support rare earth production as a national security issue. The Canadian government has invested in a rare earth processing plant, and the U.S. has a $12-billion initiative to secure critical minerals supply chains. Despite the volatility and smaller deposits, rare earths may have more substance to their investment thesis as governments push for domestic production.