In this photo taken on November 20, 2025, signage announcing a reward for those who report illegal rare earth mining activities is seen in Dingnan County, Ganzhou, in eastern China's Jiangxi province. Buried in the reddish soil of southern China lies latent power: one of the largest clusters of crucial rare earths is mined around the clock by a secretive and heavily guarded industry. The hills of Jiangxi province are home to most of China's rare earth mines, with the materials used in products from smartphones to missile guidance technology. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with 'CHINA-ECONOMY-POLITICS-TRADE-MINING, REPORTAGE' by Peter Catterall