China puts rare earth duopoly under tighter state oversight
SASAC moved to align China Northern Rare Earth and China Rare Earth Group with national export priorities, leaving Western automakers more exposed.
MGBy Mei-lin Guo, China correspondent, critical minerals and energy··Updated November 14, 2026·4 min read
ShareLinkedInXWhatsAppEmailTwo workers examine rock samples overlooking an expansive open-pit mine operating heavy machinery in China. (AI-generated image)
China's state asset regulator tightened direct operational control over the country's rare-earth duopoly on Nov. 13, 2026, subordinating long-term commercial supply contracts to political directives and national export priorities.
The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission oversees China Northern Rare Earth Group and China Rare Earth Group. The two state-owned enterprises hold 100% of China's annual mining and smelting quotas.
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China correspondent, critical minerals and energy — Mei-lin Guo reports on rare earth separation, lithium refining and the licensing decisions that determine what leaves the country.
