US Army eyes 75-year rare earth lease to break China's dysprosium, terbium grip

The U.S. Army has signed a nonbinding term sheet with REalloys for a potential 75-year operating lease at Tooele Army Depot, Utah, to process dysprosium and terbium, critical heavy rare earths dominated by China. This unprecedented long-term commitment signals a strategic shift to secure domestic supply chains for defense applications, though the deal is preliminary and subject to finalization. If realized, it would reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese rare earths, a key vulnerability in defense and tech sectors.

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