Source34 critical raw materials (17 of which are considered as strategic raw materials (dark yellow))
The fight for these materials is fierce between the world powers because they are essential for the production LCD screens, lasers, headphones, microphones, smartphones, space rockets, satellites, defense, and even in some modern cancer treatment drugs. These metals are China's most powerful bargaining power in the tariff negotiation with the US. You can find more of the uses of these rare earth metals here.
It is better that we start to appreciate what nature has for us in abundance, because some are not having the privileges other countries are having when it comes to the abundance of natural resources, especially the crude oil and other natural elements found in abundance, we keep exploring them and using them, not minding if they could actually one day be in extinction or not, but because they are what the nature offers to us, we cant deny their abundance to humankind, because if it were to be man, things could have gone wrong soo much to an extent we cant have more access to them.