Minerals
Global Platinum Supply Chain: Production, Deficit, Market Dynamics, and Strategic Risk
South Africa mines 71% of the world's platinum, a market now in record deficit. We map the supply chain, its risks, and the demand transition.
Minerals
Lunar
Molten Regolith Electrolysis: The Cathode Metals the Moon Makes, and in What Order
With lunar cargo near $100,000/kg, every gram of regolith-made iron or silicon counts. Here's what the cathode produces, and in what order.
Lunar
How to Extract Aluminum from Lunar Regolith: Electrochemical Routes vs. Hydrochloric Acid Leaching
Electrochemical extraction of aluminum from anorthite and lunar regolith achieves 96% oxygen yield, far exceeding hydrochloric acid leaching.
Lunar
Artemis Lunar Base 2026: What the Program Costs, What the Moon Has, and Who Is Winning the Race
Artemis II flew April 2026. The first crewed landing slips to 2028. ISRU is TRL 4. Ice abundance is unconfirmed. China targets 2030.
Magnets
Sm₂Co₁₇ Sintered Magnet Supply Chain 2026: China Export Controls, Lynas, MP Materials, DFARS 252.225-7052, and Cobalt Repricing
SmCo magnets run F-35 hardware, Tomahawk seekers, and satellite pointing systems. No substitute exists above 200°C. China controls almost all supply.
Minerals
Sangdong Tungsten Mine (2026): Non-China Supply, Defense Demand, and Allied Tungsten Reindustrialization
Sangdong is entering production as a major non-China tungsten source, with real value tied to ramp-up, recovery, and allied processing.
Magnets
NdFeB Permanent Magnets: China's Export Controls, the Global Supply Chain Crisis, and What Comes Next
Every F-35 contains 418 kg of rare earths. US-bound magnet shipments fell 93% in May 2025. China did not need to fire a shot.
Deepsea
Deep-Sea Mining Robots: TMC, DSHMRA, ISA, and the CCZ Strategic Competition Between the US and China
France calls it environmental piracy. The ISA calls it a violation of international law. The US calls it a permit. Welcome to seabed geopolitics.
Space
Lunar Mining Outposts: Helium-3, Deuterium & Fiber-Optics Production
Can lunar mining outposts fuel Earth's fusion future? Explore ISRU for He-3, deuterium, and fiber-optics enabled by LunaNet.
Minerals
Tantalum Supply Chain Risk (2026): DRC Concentration, Semiconductor Demand, and Strategic Uses in EVs, AI, and Defense
Critical metal powering semiconductors, EVs, and defense; tantalum faces DRC supply risk and rising demand from AI and electrification.
Space
Asteroid Mining Logistics: The Off-World Economy's $100 Trillion Challenge
Asteroid mining is here. Can we solve the logistics puzzle to unlock a trillion-dollar space economy?
Minerals
Tanbreez Rare Earth Deposit: HREE Supply Chain & China Risk
Tanbreez holds critical heavy rare earths. See its size, extraction challenges, and why it matters for EVs, defense, and supply chains.