MINING.COM and The Northern Miner mapped global rare earth production through a geopolitical lens, dividing the world into five “spheres of control”: Chinese, American, Russian, Coalition of the Willing, and Undrafted.

These groupings reflect geographic, social, cultural, and economic ties—and possible alignments in a more polarized world.

(By Anthony Vaccaro; Files from: Ali Ravaghi; Creative: James Alafriz)