Mongolia Deepens Cooperation With US on Rare Earths to Deter China, Russia: Analysts

Trucks move tons of ore at the open pit mining area at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in the south Gobi desert, Khanbogd region, Mongolia, on Oct. 11, 2012. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Mongolia, a resource-rich country landlocked between China and Russia, is cementing its partnership with the United States on rare earths. Analysts say it is a significant geopolitical move that could break China’s monopoly on rare earth minerals.

Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrain visited Washington on Aug. 2. One of the main topics discussed during the U.S.-Mongolia bilateral talks was the joint mining of rare earths, including copper.