Rare Earth Find in Greenland Threatens China’s Chip Dominance

Critical Metals Corp. made a discovery that could strengthen Western access to key materials used in semiconductors and clean energy technology.

The company found high-grade concentrations of gallium and rare earth elements (REEs) at its Tanbreez Project in southern Greenland, according to a Monday (Aug. 4) press release.

New assays taken from surface samples and historical drill cores showed gallium levels from 80 parts per million (ppm) to 140 ppm, the release said.

The site also contains high concentrations of neodymium and praseodymium, according to a report filed in March with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These REEs are used in magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Gallium is a key input for advanced semiconductors, optoelectronics such as LEDs and laser diodes, and thin-film solar panels. These technologies support infrastructure in telecommunications, artificial intelligence, defense and renewable energy.

The United States and the European Union classify gallium as a critical raw material. The find could impact global supply chains as the U.S. leads Western efforts to shift sourcing of these critical inputs from China, which controlled over 69% of global rare earth production in 2023, according to a January report from Mining Technology.

“These exceptional results underscore the strategic value of Tanbreez as a rare earth and gallium project with scale, grade and a high proportion of critical heavy rare earths,” Critical Metals CEO and Executive Chairman Tony Sage said in the Monday press release. “With China’s ban on gallium exports to the United States, securing domestic sources of these critical minerals has become paramount for U.S. defense capabilities and national security. Our gallium results, combined with our rare earth grades, position Tanbreez as a strategically important asset for Western supply chains.”

Located near existing infrastructure and year-round deep-water ports, the Tanbreez Project holds one of the largest REE deposits globally, according to the report filed with the SEC. The site’s unique mineralogy allows for conventional refining processes, which could accelerate development.

On Wednesday (July 23), the White House released “America’s AI Action Plan,” which outlines President Donald Trump’s push to keep the U.S. in the lead in the global AI race.

“We need to establish American AI — from our advanced semiconductors to our models to our applications — as the gold standard for AI worldwide and ensure our allies are building on American technology,” the plan stated.