America built its economy and its military on the assumption that we would always have access to the materials required to expand our industry and innovate our defenses. For most of the 20th century, that assumption was held. But today, for one class of minerals that touches nearly everything we build, our supply is at risk.

Rare earth elements are the building blocks of modern life and modern defense. They’re in the motor of an electric vehicle, the speaker in a smartphone, and the guidance system of a missile. One F-35 fighter jet requires an estimated 920 pounds of rare earth materials. A Virginia-class submarine needs about 9,200 pounds.

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