U.S. Seeks Strategic Rare-Earth Supply in West Texas

Serra Blanca, Texas - An otherwise nondescript mountainside in West Texas is being eyed as a strategic source of rare-earth elements that underpin modern electronics and defense systems.
The administration plans the Pax Silica Declaration with Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Israel to expand access to critical minerals and blunt China’s dominance.
China controls roughly 70% of global rare-earth mining and more than 90% of processing capacity, prompting a push to develop domestic deposits such as Round Top Mountain. State officials say Round Top contains 17 rare-earth elements, including dysprosium and terbium, which are vital for high-performance magnets used in missile guidance, fighter jets, electric vehicles, wind turbines, speakers and sonar.
Leased state land could be developed by firms like USA Rare Earth, which have begun pilot programs to locate and extract these materials. Company leaders warn that magnet performance is integral to missile control and other defense functions. Mining operations could begin as early as 2028; initial U.S. production may be costlier than Chinese sources but is expected to become more competitive as allied supply chains scale.
Officials frame the effort as both national security and economic policy to reduce reliance on foreign critical-mineral supply chains.