Pro-Chinese operatives pretended to be legitimate protestors on social media to create controversy surrounding the opening of rare earth mineral mines in the US, Mandiant Corporation reported Tuesday. Fake Twitter and Facebook accounts were created to stop U.S. mining efforts and continue to give The People’s Republic of China, the world’s largest producer of rare earth minerals, a competitive advantage over the U.S., reported Mandiant. In a campaign dubbed “DRAGONBRIDGE” by Mandiant, fake accounts acted as concerned local residents and eco-activists on Facebook to foment opposition towards a Texas mining facility owned by Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The fake accounts…