“Although fluorite is often regarded as a relatively obscure industrial mineral, its strategic importance lies in the fluorine chemicals and compounds it derives. Fluorite is the primary precursor for many industrial compounds and chemicals, including fluorine and fluorine chemicals. As an indispensable raw material, fluorite is the bedrock of an extensive range of advanced applications, from metallurgical processing and electric vehicle batteries to aerospace engineering, nuclear energy production, and semiconductor manufacturing. Almost every high-tech industry crucial to economic and national security is underpinned by fluorine-derived materials.”
“With the world’s largest reserves, China is currently the top producer, accounting for around 69 percent of global fluorite production, with an estimated output amounting to 6 million metric tons in 2025. However, these figures capture only the upstream dimension of China’s competitive position…”
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/not-just-rare-earths-is-this-chinas-next-economic-weapon/