Lithium may dominate the headlines, but it's no longer the most interesting story in critical minerals. A quieter rally is building—one driven by AI demand, defense needs, and tightening supply. And this time, the action is shifting to minerals most investors barely track.



<h2>Rare Earths Step Into The Spotlight</h2>



&#34;The biggest moves are in rare earths and key strategic minerals,&#34; Harvey Kaye, Executive Chairman of U.S. Critical Materials, told Benzinga exclusively in an email interview.



That includes lesser-known names like dysprosium, terbium, praseodymium, yttrium, and gallium—materials increasingly critical across EVs, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems.



The setup is simple but powerful. &#34;Supply is tight and demand is strong,&#34; Kaye said, adding that &#34;even small disruptions push prices up quickly.&#34;



Unlike lithium, where new supply has eased prices at times, rare earths remain structurally constrained—both in mining and, more importantly, processing.



This is potentially good news for investors in the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:REMX), the Global X Rare Earth &amp; Critical Materials ETF (NASDAQ:EART) and the Sprott Critical Materials ETF (NASDAQ:SETM).



<h2>AI Demand Is Changing The Equation</h2>



The next leg of demand isn't just EVs—it's AI.



&#34;AI uses more minerals than most people realize,&#34; Kaye noted. From gallium in semiconductors to metals used in data center infrastructure, the footprint is expanding fast. And the kicker: &#34;there are very few substitutes for these minerals.&#34;



That makes the market more sensitive to shocks—and faster to reprice.



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<h2>China's Grip Tightens The Supply Chain</h2>



On the supply side, concentration remains the key risk.



&#34;China controls much of the global processing capacity,&#34; Kaye said, leaving markets exposed to disruptions. Add rising energy costs—where &#34;energy touches every step of the supply chain&#34;—and the pressure builds.



The takeaway is shifting.



Lithium may have built the narrative, but it's these lesser-known, tightly supplied minerals that are increasingly driving the next phase of the trade.



Image via Shutterstock

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Rare earth minerals like dysprosium and gallium are experiencing significant price increases due to rising demand from AI and defense sectors, shifting focus from lithium. Supply constraints and strong demand are driving this trend, with key strategic minerals becoming increasingly critical for EVs and advanced manufacturing. Investors may benefit from ETFs focused on rare earths, as the market is sensitive to supply shocks, particularly with China's dominance in processing capacity. The narrative is evolving, highlighting the importance of these lesser-known minerals in the current market landscape.

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Huatai-PB CSI Rare earth industry ETF

Global X Rare Earth & Critical MatrlsETF

Sprott Energy Transition Materials ETF

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EXCLUSIVE: Forget Lithium — These Under-The-Radar Minerals Are Seeing The Biggest Price Moves