The Heavy Weight: Why HREEs are the Critical Chokepoint

In the world of critical minerals, “Rare Earth” is a misnomer. Some, like Cerium, are as common as copper. The real crisis lies in the “Heavies.”

The Lanthanide series is split into two camps: the Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) and the Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs). While LREEs are abundant globally, HREEs—specifically Dysprosium (Dy) and Terbium (Tb)—are the “vitamins” required to keep permanent magnets functioning at high temperatures.

The Supply Chokepoint

Currently, the global supply of Heavy Rare Earths is almost exclusively controlled by a specific type of geology found in Southern China (Ionic Adsorption Clays). This creates a single point of failure for the Western defense and EV industries.

If a fighter jet engine or an offshore wind turbine requires Dysprosium to operate, and 98% of it comes from one jurisdiction, that is not a geological problem—it is a geopolitical one.

The Canadian Solution: Kainosite

This is why Kainosite (K) is the “Specialist” of our index. Unlike standard minerals which are dominated by the lighter elements, Kainosite (and related minerals like Xenotime) selectively enrich the Heavy Rare Earths.

Developing Canadian HREE sources is harder than digging up LREEs. The geology is more complex, and the separation chemistry is more difficult. But the strategic payout—breaking the monopoly on the most critical elements of the 21st century—is worth the effort.