A major Arctic breakthrough in Alaska may dramatically weaken China’s long-standing dominance over rare earth minerals, following confirmation that the GraphiteOne project near Nome has uncovered significant reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) alongside what is already the nation’s largest graphite deposit. The finding accelerates an initiative praised by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and advanced under former President Donald Trump’s push for “American energy dominance.”
As of 2024, the U.S. remained 93% import-dependent on both REEs and graphite, leaving American manufacturers vulnerable to global supply pressures — especially after China, which previously accounted for 90% of graphite production, imposed new export limits on magnet-related REEs. The new discovery signals a potential turning point.
GraphiteOne President Anthony Huston called the Nome-area find a “truly generational deposit,” confirming the presence of two Defense Production Act-qualifying materials. He added that, based on the “robust economics of our planned complete graphite materials supply chain, the presence of Rare Earths at Graphite Creek suggests that recovery as a by-product to our graphite production will maximize the value.”
REEs identified at the site include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium — all essential for batteries, renewable energy systems, fiberoptics, electronics and magnets. The project will also ship materials to an advanced anode production facility in Ohio. Dunleavy recently praised Alaska’s growing role in supplying metals and minerals “transforming the 21st century” and reducing reliance on foreign “entities of concern.”
Beyond Alaska, similar discoveries in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region could deliver another blow to Beijing’s dominance, though extraction remains in early stages.
The Arctic breakthrough underscores a shifting geopolitical landscape — one increasingly shaped by America’s push to secure critical mineral independence.
