Success Story: Gina Rinehart is a very prominent name in the business world. She is the richest woman in Australia. The secret behind her billion-dollar success is her effort to reduce China’s dependence on rare earth minerals. Rinehart turned the rare earth game to her advantage becoming the largest investor in rare earths outside of China. After accumulating significant wealth from iron ore over two decades Rinehart’s current net worth is over USD 30 billion. She has also made huge investments in four publicly traded rare earth companies that are valued at USD 1.8 billion. Lets know more about Gina Rinehart. Who Is Gina Rinehart? Gina Rinehart is the largest investor in rare earth outside China. She has made a significant investment in listed rare earth companies (worth USD1.9 billion). This huge investment has placed her among the worlds ten richest women. Interestingly Rinehart is also a major supporter of United States President Donald Trump. Ongoing Battle Of Rare Earths The world is trying to reduce its dependency on China for its rare earth supplies. Several major countries including the US and India are exploring their lands for the critical rare earths. Demand for these rare earth minerals has surged because of the rising demand for electric vehicles. The rare earth magnets are used in making electric vehicles wind turbines and modern weapons. Notably China dominates the rare earth minerals market by producing 70 percent of the rare earth minerals and controls 90 percent of the magnets made from these minerals. How Did Gina Rinehart Sense The Power Of Rare Earths Long Ago? Rinehart started investing in rare earths years ago before the trade tensions. Dylan Kelly of Sydney-based Terra Capital told Bloomberg state that Rinehart “understands this sector better than anyone else.” Seeing potential in rare earth minerals she invested big in MP Materials Corp. which operates Americas only rare earths mine. She is also the second-largest shareholder in Australias Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. MP Materials recently made headlines all over by receiving USD400 million investment from the US Department of Defence. Gina Rinehart’s decision to invest in rare earth companies - located in Australia Malaysia Brazil and the US – worked making her the richest woman businessman in Australia. In September US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to jointly invest USD1 billion in critical minerals. The major announcement bolstered the sector. Not Every Investment Turned Into Gold Gina invested a significant amount in lithium. But it turned out to be a bad investment as lithium extraction was impacted by declining demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The share price of Liontown Resources plunged more than 60 percent. Rinehart holds a 16 percent stake in the company. Iron ore earnings also stagnated. However the increased demand for critical minerals has come as good news for Rinehart’s companies.