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Various rare metals such as nickel are used as core materials for electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors. But it's literally not that easy to get. 63% of rare earths are produced in China, 47% of lithium is produced in Australia and 30% of nickel is produced in Indonesia. For this reason, the competition to secure rare metals around the world is fierce. The Korean government has also introduced measures to increase stockpiles and foster related companies. However, the overseas rare metal mines that we have already secured are being sold.



Mismatch policy, reporter Han Sang-woo covered it.



<Reporter> As the



demand for rare metals soared, international prices jumped 2.5 times for lithium and nearly 50% for nickel and cobalt in one year.



Almost all of the core materials are imported, so there are concerns about supply and demand instability.



[Hong Nam-ki / Deputy Prime Minister of Economy: Supply is dependent on a specific country and there is a high possibility of weaponization of resources, so strategic measures are essential.] The



government has doubled the current level of stockpiling of 19 of the 35 rare metals to 100 , we decided to secure up to 180 days' worth of items.



As we have competitiveness in the technology of processing, processing, and recycling rare metals, we plan to foster 100 companies in this field.



However, the overseas resource development projects that have already been invested in are being sold out, raising criticism that the policy is inconsistent.



Following the sale of the Chilean copper mine, the Mineral Resources Corporation plans to sell 17 mines invested in 12 countries around the world, including the Ambatovy mine in Madagascar, which can produce about 60,000 tons of nickel a year, the bituminous coal mine in Australia, and the copper mine in Panama. plan.



This is because, after being pointed out as a failed case of overseas resource diplomacy in the past, the government task force set guidelines for the sale of overseas mines in order to relieve a huge debt of about 6 trillion won.



Mineral Resources Corporation has already eliminated the overseas resource development function.



The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that even if it sells its stake in overseas mines, it will minimize side effects by first selling it to a domestic company and signing a long-term supply contract.



(Video coverage: Jeong Seong-hwa, video editing: Kim Jong-woo)