Satellite Mapping Reveals China's Heavy Rare Earth Hotspots

A USGS analysis of Copernicus Sentinel imagery from 2010–2025 has mapped extensive heavy rare earth mining and processing activity in China, showing features that make these operations visible from space.
Analysts identified diagnostic signs such as leachate collection systems, precipitation tanks and processing ponds and tanks that are strongly associated with heavy rare earth extraction and refinement.
The study locates concentrated clusters in Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces and records 1,875 distinct data points-about 60% of detected sites in China-with a further 886 points accounting for roughly 30% of activity in key areas.
Mapped site footprints are substantial (around 255 km2 in one cluster and 63 km2 in another) and include local place names such as Chebu, Xiwei, Lirenzhen, Dongjiangxiang, Jingnao and Longnan.
Because heavy rare earth operations often use wet processing and produce characteristic waste ponds, satellite-based monitoring offers a practical way to track and compare activity over time, complementing ground-based reporting and raising new questions about environmental and supply-chain implications.