Brussels: There's much talk about critical materials like lithium and cobalt, and rare earths like dysprosium and cerium, these days. China has a near-monopoly on these minerals that are essential for high-technology manufacturing, as well as for climate transition, across the world. In such a situation, how can countries ensure a better access to supply chains?For starters, 'rare earths', despite their nomenclature, are actually found almost everywhere, often combined in small quantities with other metals. They had been used for years, but usually for niche applications such as military electronics. However, one of their main uses – manufacture of permanent…