The Geographical Distribution of Earth's Elements in the New International System

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the geographical distribution of the Earth’s elements and explain their dimensions in the reconfiguration of power within the new world order. It is assumed that the spatial concentration of these strategic resources contributes to the field of health development, geopolitical influence, and directly affects the trends of global economic and technological competition. The research was conducted on a set of analytical, systematic, quantitative, statistical descriptions to analyze the reserve data and its production and manufacturing globally during the period (2024-2025),The research results showed a high geographical concentration of rare earth element reserves at the global level, as the total global reserve amounted to about (91.04) million tons, with China alone accounting for (44) million tons and (48.33%) of the global total, followed by Brazil with (23.07%), then India with (7.58%), and Australia with (6.26%). The study also revealed a clear concentration of global production, as global production amounted to about (390) thousand metric tons, of which China contributed about (270) thousand tons and (69%) of global production, followed by the United States of America with (12%), then Myanmar with (8%), while the remaining percentages were distributed among a limited number of other countries. The results showed that the geopolitical importance of rare earth elements is not only related to the size of the reserves, but also to owning the links in the value chain represented by extraction, refining and manufacturing. In the field of processing and refining, China controls between (80–90%) of global capabilities, compared to limited shares for Malaysia, Australia and the United States of America, which gave it a pivotal position in the global supply chains for advanced technology industries, renewable energy and military industries. The research concluded that rare earth elements have become one of the most important determinants of geopolitical and economic power in the twenty-first century, and that the unequal distribution of their reserves and production has contributed to the rise of international competition between major powers, especially the United States and China, in order to secure supply chains and enhance mineral security. The research also showed that control over these resources no longer represents only an economic dimension, but has become a strategic tool for reshaping the international balance of power, making rare earth elements one of the most prominent resources influencing the features of the new international order in the coming decades.