{
  "id": 10322904,
  "title": "From mine to magnet: Malaysia's rare earths need more than a ban",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/from-mine-to-magnet-malaysias-rare-earths-need-more-than-a-ban",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T23:30:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1542548/mine-magnet-malaysias-rare-earths-need-more-ban"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must attract investors to develop its rare earth elements (REE) industry beyond simply exporting raw materials. Academy of Sciences Malaysia Fellow P. Loganathan stated that bans on REE exports could encourage domestic processing and manufacturing, but this would only succeed if Malaysia develops capabilities across the entire value chain. REEs, used in electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, and defense, are in high demand as global electrification accelerates, while China dominates global mining and processing. This provides an opportunity for Malaysia to attract investment and technology for higher-value REE processing and manufacturing. Currently, Malaysia only exports REE carbonates and has limited domestic mining activity, with only the Gerik mine in Perak producing REE carbonates. Lack of operating mines hinders the development of a complete REE value chain. Malaysia's RM4.11 trillion mineral base could become a major economic engine, with the REE sector contributing RM8 billion to GDP and creating 24,800 jobs by 2030. To achieve this, Malaysia must focus on expanding domestic mining capacity, processing REE carbonates into purified rare earth oxides, and converting oxides into metals and alloys for advanced manufacturing. Miti Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani emphasized that Malaysia wants REE investors to share technology and participate in the supply chain.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to attract investors for rare earth elements (REE) who are willing to bring technology, capital and expertise into the country as it seeks to move beyond exporting raw materials and build higher-value industries around its critical mineral resources.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "From mine to magnet: Malaysia's rare earths meed more than a ban",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/from-mine-to-magnet-malaysias-rare-earths-meed-more-than-a-ban",
        "published": "2026-09-27T23:30:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}