Because they can be used to make super-strong magnets, rare earths play an essential role in a wide array of gadgetry, from earbuds to weapons systems to electric cars. Rare earths are far more abundant in the earth’s crust than platinum, gold, or silver. It also includes recovering rare earths from mining waste and discarded electronics. To understand why rare earths are so valuable, recall that magnetism and electricity are closely related. “The year 2025 was a very big wakeup call for the United States and the global industrial world,” she says.