Australian zircon is at the center of a fierce competition between China and the United States, driven by the metal zirconium it contains. Zirconium, valued for its unique properties like high temperature resistance, density, and corrosion resistance, is crucial for the development of new military technologies.
The demand for zirconium is high in the production of thermal protective systems for hypersonic aircraft, spaceships, and nuclear energy. However, China and the United States have limited zirconium reserves, with China holding only 0.7% of global resources and the United States lacking significant reserves. In contrast, Australia possesses the largest share of zirconium reserves, accounting for about 74% of the world’s resources.
With the global competition intensifying for strategic resources like zirconium, there is a focus on ensuring resource security, especially for China. Chinese scientists indicate that a significant portion of the zirconium imported by China is currently used for ceramic and plumbing production, but there is a shift towards prioritizing military and high-tech industries such as hypersonic weapons and nuclear energy.
Australia, being the top zirconium supplier globally, is an ally of the United States. This alliance could complicate zirconium deliveries to China, particularly as Canberra, Washington, and London collaborate on hypersonic technology development. However, China remains a crucial trading partner for Australia, with ore exports to China contributing significantly to the country’s revenue.
Concurrently, China is actively advancing its hypersonic technology capabilities, unveiling hypersonic missiles for potential export. These systems, capable of high-speed maneuvering, pose a threat to existing air defense systems and rely on a stable supply of zirconium.
Moreover, zirconium’s role in future solid-state lithium-ion battery production for electric vehicles is anticipated, further driving demand for this strategic metal. Amid escalating competition, China is exploring collaboration opportunities with other zirconium suppliers like South Africa and Indonesia, both members of the BRICS economic bloc.
The competition for zirconium is part of a broader race for military and technological supremacy, where rare resources and their control are pivotal factors.