We May Need a Work-Around for Gallium
Gallium is a strategic resource whose control could determine the future leader in the semiconductor and battery industries. The world watches with bated breath as China tightens its grip on this critical material. Japan, the largest consumer of gallium, has issued a stern warning, highlighting the onset of an invisible war over this invaluable asset.
Then again, there’s Gallium on Greenland, but pay no attention.
On December 2, a significant shift occurred in the global semiconductor industry due to a bold move by the United States. The Biden administration imposed stringent sanctions on China, targeting its technological advancements. By adding 140 new Chinese companies to its blacklist, the U.S. aimed to curb China’s progress in semiconductor production. These sanctions focused on companies involved in lithography equipment crucial for advanced chip manufacturing.
The day after the U.S. sanctions, the Chinese government announced restrictions on exporting critical minerals to the United States. Among these minerals were gallium, germanium, and antimony, all essential to semiconductor manufacturing. These materials, with their unique properties, are vital for technological applications and advanced military uses. The repercussions of these restrictions were soon felt across the global supply chains, particularly affecting the production of chips and batteries.
The announcement of China’s export restrictions has intensified the global competition for essential raw materials.
Japanese industry leaders, deeply integrated into the global semiconductor market, have voiced concerns over the potential long-term disruptions caused by these restrictions. Their warnings have reached the ears of governments in the United States, Japan, and allied nations. The fear is that these measures could lead to severe, lasting supply chain disturbances, particularly in securing gallium and other crucial materials.
The situation extends beyond export restrictions. Japan fears that China may soon demand detailed accounts from Japanese companies on all gallium products exported to the United States. Failure to comply could lead to stricter measures, exacerbating the supply crisis. In fact, between August 2023 and August 2024, Japan’s gallium imports from China plummeted by nearly 85%, highlighting the severity of the situation.
This decline in imports underscores the vulnerability of Japanese companies, the world’s largest gallium, germanium, and graphite consumers. The potential for increased Chinese control over these resources poses a significant threat to key international industrial chains.
The stakes are high, as Japanese companies rely heavily on gallium, germanium, and graphite. Any further tightening of China’s control over these resources could significantly disrupt major international industrial chains. For instance, electric motors for Tesla vehicles are assembled in Japan, gallium arsenide lasers are from Broadcom, and several essential chips in Apple’s iPhones could all be directly affected.
Please don’t take my tantalum away. It’s a critical component in making explosive-formed projectiles (EFPs). Tantalum is primarily mined in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Brazil, and Nigeria, with the DRC and Rwanda being major producers. The Congo has come to Pres. Trump and offered up whatever rare Earth materials we need if we help him make Congo great (for the first time).
Grants Canceled
The Department of Energy canceled two climate grants the Biden administration awarded to the Rocky Mountain Institute. The institute is a left-wing climate think tank that has pushed for heavy restrictions on gas stoves and collaborated with the Chinese government.
The first grant, worth about $5.3 million, was designed to fund the Rocky Mountain Institute’s pilot project to retrofit a 120-unit building in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with green energy technology.
Then-energy secretary Jennifer Granholm said in March 2022 that the grant funding proved the Biden administration was “in an all-out sprint to beat the climate crisis,” while Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) said it would help protect the country “from upheaval caused by the global fossil fuel market.”
The second was a $1.5 million grant to fund research into the viability of electric vehicle carshare programs. According to the Department of Energy, the study would assess business models in the United States for resilience and “equity.”
The Rocky Mountain Institute confirmed that the two grants were canceled in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon. Rocky Mountain Institute spokeswoman Caroline Bennett said the Department of Energy informed the group that the funding “no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities.”
Reach Out and Touch Someone
(h/t Max)
LRASM variants
The LRASM programme initially focuses on developing two variants, the LRASM-A and LRASM-B. The LRASM-A was designed based on the Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) airframe and includes added sensors and systems. The LRASM-B was designed for high-altitude and supersonic speed over stealthy penetration. However, DARPA canceled the LRASM-B development in 2012.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MissilePorn/comments/g03j2w/lrasmb_supersonic_antiship_missile_concept/
LM-Missiles and Fire Control Orlando proposed LRASM-A based on JASM, which was selected. LM-MFC Dallas was proposing LRASM-B (down-selected). The competition between the two sides of MFC was interesting, and the stealth version of LRASM-A was selected. LRASM-B was a boosted SCRAM jet (a long missile, I walked alongside its length printed on a wall poster full-scale once), multiple Mach missile that could have engaged the PLAN ships in a few minutes vs. slow stealthy in many minutes. Time to engagement was a long internal discussion at MFC.
A Historical Note
The Battle of Gingindlovu occurred on April 2, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War between British forces and the Zulu Kingdom. After the British suffered a significant defeat at Isandlwana, they regrouped under Lord Chelmsford and advanced cautiously.
Gingindlovu was a defensive victory for the British, who had fortified their camp against Zulu attacks. The Zulu army, numbering around 10,000 warriors, launched a traditional frontal assault but was repelled by British rifle and artillery fire. The disciplined British square formation held firm, inflicting heavy casualties on the Zulus. The victory at Gingindlovu helped restore British confidence and paved the way for the relief of Eshowe, where a British column had been under siege.
Although the battle was not the final blow to Zulu resistance, it marked a turning point in the war, showcasing the effectiveness of modern military tactics against traditional forces.
Bullet Points:
** I like eating at The Hat in SoCal. There are several locations. When I order a pastrami sandwich, I think about this: heavy on the pastrami, light on the bread. Cheese is okay, and pickles are essential. The video referenced isn’t from The Hat, but it made me think of The Hat.
** Draining the DOD Swamp. They need Clorox.
** Free people do not ask permission from the government to exercise their rights. The Constitution and Bill of Rights were created to LIMIT government. The legislature exists to REPRESENT the people.
** Dr. Hayes from UNC discusses a different approach to uranium mining – a passive approach. He’s a very sharp guy and is worth listening to.
** The next time that you hear that all of the cartel firearms came from the US, remember that container loads of Norinco AK-47s (Norinco, short for China North Industries Group Corporation Limited) are delivered to various cartels through the Port of Manzanillo. Most of the cartel types use AK-47s. Some M-16s were ‘stolen/sold’ from Mexican military stores – though they usually carry H&Ks. More recently, the cartels found it more profitable to move firearms north. Just saying.
** Europeans and Americans (VDH)
** The Swamp hates Elon Musk. I mean, they hate him with unrestrained fury. Billions and likely trillions of dollars that were untouched during Trump 45 have been stripped from them during the early days of Trump 47. They’re still well-funded because the war chests amassed are still in place. Outspending Pres. Trump, by at least 4 to 1 in counted cash (and who knows how much uncounted cash) didn’t matter. The public is ignoring reliable propaganda outlets in the mainstream media and public broadcasting, and reliable voting blocks of naive and uninformed people have defected as they scramble for a leader. For now, the message of hate will have to be enough.
** Clint Eastwood discusses the woke.
** Backers of the world’s largest cryptocurrency have long described Bitcoin as “digital gold”— a store of value to shelter one’s fortunes in a market meltdown. However, during the recent Trump tariff-inspired market downturn, Bitcoin has tanked while gold has weathered the storm.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency dropped 12% to below $80,000 on Wednesday afternoon after Trump rolled out an aggressive suite of tariffs. Meanwhile, according to Refinitiv data, gold’s composite price had dropped only 3% to $3,039 as of Friday afternoon.
The lack of correlation between the two assets under President Donald Trump’s administration is even starker. Since January, gold has risen 16%, while Bitcoin has dipped 14%. Notably, stocks have also dropped around 14%—a challenge to the cryptocurrency’s aspiration to be a digital version of gold.
** USAID – The Obama Mamma worked for USAID…
** Border Patrol caught 1 in 6.
** What’s it like to be Norwegian? More on Scandanavia here…
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
3
4
Parting Shot
End
1 is Iran – Revolutionary Guard operated Antonov An-74
2 looks to be a Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Antonov An-74 Coaler
2. Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
3. Schweizer QT-2PC
4. Junkers Ju 290
#2, “Dagger”…appropriate name for something very pointy…guessing “Stiletto” gave the wrong impression.
NASA’s X-3, similar time frame to the F-102/F-106 duo, was the Stiletto.
Big difference between the 102 and 106? Area Rule fuselage that allowed easier crossing of the transonic barrier and higher top speeds.
LRASM-A vs. LRASM-B: I get to watch simulations where a variety of long-range weapons are used. The difference in flight profile and expedient destruction of the target is significant when range > 150nm. Stealthy, slower weapon allows lots to happen between detection/engagement /launch and (hopefully/eventual) destruction.
Or as the USAF used to say “Thank you for calling Strategic Air Command. Your target will be destroyed in 30 minutes or less, or your next one will be free”.
Geez, and here I was kidding. Good to know (and major h/t to you guys who know this, impressive to say the least).
Ours is in the freezer, as I have been conditioned in the Danish ways. I pick on the Swedes but today the Three S countries get along pretty well, having tossed a lot of the generational stuff. …well, except for those living in Skaagan, DK… the Swedes have bought those little houses all over for Summer homes. Heh
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My ancestry includes Scots-Irish and some English, growing up Catholic dad would often say “you have built in conflict and guilt.” Took me a while to figure out what he meant. Now it’s funny… but true!
Oops, iPad fail…reply to GFW2 below.
I am overly joyed that I am half Swede and gleeful as all heck Irish…
I would not fly an airplane under a prop shaft… my luck the damn thing would kink right above my canopy.
“When It Absolutely, Positively Has To Be Destroyed Overnight”
Rancher Ladd, while a bit funny, shows us that Biden should be brought up on treason, don’t care how old and mentally vacant he is, someone was running the government with him front and center….might as well include those scumbags in the round up. Watched the last episode of 1923…subversive types with galactic hubris have always been around…Johnson County/Wyoming Range War (great read) was real, and Sheridan shows the rawness of that era when the Takers demand we all bow to them. Too bad we don’t have a Spencer to [finally…geez] arrive home and clean house in short order. Moral is, never mess with a man’s property or family…never. Yet laws and reg’s have gotten so encysted that WTP have lost half our Constitutional freedoms to defend ourselves against invaders foreign and domestic…and we know who the domestic invaders are, most do not wear tactical gear but Armani.
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Rocky Mountain Institute funding: For years (moons ago) read [glowingly] about Amory Lovins in Backpacker, Outside, and of course Mother Earth News (when it wasn’t AS Lefty)…never could place the guy as he sounded okay even while hobnobbing with elites in Aspen about “clean energy” but pushing (at the time) Liberal energy methods while also being on the board of the US Petroleum Council. Seemed like a dichotomy to me. In the end he had a brilliant mind but was completely misguided, running a grift (Hypercar??) Figured funding was from his wealthy friends, but now see where it came from…taxpayers. USAID is clearly a money transfer operation with no oversight…hope DOGE has entirely rid us of this ONE graft shop, and every “funding” freeloader runs for the hills…screaming.
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Danes are certainly confident, but in a velvet hammer sort of way, not boastful…Swedes are “more assertive”, especially after a few shots of Aakvavit. Norwegians are somewhere in the middle.
When your Norwegian wife says, “Ust a minute”, prepare battle stations.
Heh…as I take a sip out of my “Uff Dah” coffee mug, might just have a little…or a lot..of Aakvavit mixed in.
Twenty Swedes, in the weeds, running from one Norwegian.
My Dad used to sing that song, but he sang “Chased by one Norwegian”.
Paul, now that I’ve been introduced to aquavit, gotta try it sometime. With the Swedish and Norwegian side of me it’s a dilemma to chill it or not. From my other German half there’s no hesitation to use a shot glass and chase it with sips of dark hot coffee. Speaking of Scandinavian, no one even commented on L.L.’S masterpiece of a.i. wonder yesterday. Is she a red Norse or? Does the 3 wheeler fly with enough aquavit spiked in the steaming hot mug? What about that red ” light” looking item on top, is that a male radar detector? She looks like she may be made of mostly …
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” Unatanium”
Re above…Accidentally replied…to myself. Gotta quit while behind today.
Chelmsford’s tactics were reactive and pragmatic, tailored to counter the Zulu strengths he’d underestimated before. He traded mobility for security, betting on discipline and firepower to win a defensive battle. The Zulu commanders, conversely, stuck to an aggressive, traditional playbook that didn’t account for the laager’s resilience or the lethality of concentrated rifle and artillery fire. Their courage was undeniable, but the lack of tactical flexibility doomed their assault. This clash at Gingindlovu on April 2, 1879, underscored a broader lesson of the Anglo-Zulu War: raw numbers and valor couldn’t overcome entrenched positions backed by industrial-age weapons. Chelmsford’s victory paved the way for Eshowe’s relief and shifted the war’s momentum, while the Zulu defeat highlighted the limits of their approach against a recalibrated foe.
-⚡TA Lethal⚡
On a much smaller scale, some native tribes, notably the Sioux, learned what tactics were used in the Civil War. Their adoption was first used in the Wagon Box fight and the Fetterman massacre in Wyoming.
Free people – was able to watch people walk into a sporting goods store and buy a firearm, all without a Mother-May-I permission slip from the government. This was before the ’68 GCA.
The past is a different country; they spoke a different language and had different customs.
Rare earth – under Trump we might actually be able to mine the stuff we have here. May require keeping the maddening crowd busy elsewhere while doing it.
Yep. Bought my first 22LR way back when. Just paid the man, and walked out of the store with it.
Gallium: There are no current U.S. producers of gallium. The largest gallium deposit in the U.S. is the Round Top deposit in Texas, which contains a reported 36,500 metric tons of gallium. For comparison, the average annual consumption of gallium in the US (2016 through 2020) was 16 metric tons.
You are correct Don, and those on the left DO NOT want Texas to have another source of income, they want to kill the oil business and force Texas into line with the other states. One advantage is that the land is NOT controlled by BLM or USFS, it is Texas land. Here’s an article from El Paso talking about the issues, which go back to the 80s! https://elpasomatters.org/2024/05/13/round-top-mountain-rare-earth-deposit-sierra-blanca-texas/
I’m a gallium arsenide (GaAs) end-user (or was until I retired) so making something else have its physical characteristics is way outta my ballpark, but the problem in the US has been that the EPA and their (paid?) greens forbid mining. I’ve always heard we have lots of “rare earth” elements in the US, especially in the California Sierras, and Cali is like the world’s biggest source of NIMBY maniacs.
As you (and Don-in-Oregon) point out, there are sources in the US but mining is prohibited. I’m aware of this. Whether Pres. Trump will intervene and open the US to mining everything from gallium to uranium is an open question. I haven’t heard anything from DC on that. The Canadians have rare earth resources too, but have been tight with mining permits.
Trump gets China to do the China thing. A ‘crisis’ appears and mining permits get issued for national defense. What an amazing coincidence?
Rocky Mountain grants canceled; How ironic for 1.5M to be thrown down for ” the viability of electric vehicle carshare programs” and “equity”
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Remember when Santa Klaus Schwab didn’t say you’d be happy?
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It was Ida Auken who published an essay originally titled “Welcome to 2030. I own nothing, have no privacy, and life has never been better”,
“… later retitled “Here’s how life could change in my city by the year 2030″, on the WEF’s official web site.
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” It described life in an unnamed city in which the narrator does not own a car, a house, any appliances, or any clothes, and instead relies on shared services for all of his daily needs” source – wiki
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Way To Go DOGE!
The Emperor Schwab wearing his new clothes. Eww, I did not need that image. Need to crack open that bottle of aquavit I made up last winter to bleach that out of my imagination.
Gingindlovu, if I recall correctly, was the royal kraal of Shaka Zulu, and translates as “The Place of He Who Kills With Afflictions.”