2025 VJC prelim P1 insert

VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 H2 GEOGRAPHY 9173/01 Paper 1 INSERT 3 hours READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS The Insert contains all the Resources referred to in the questions. This document consists of 7 printed pages

2 Resource 1 for Question 1 Global distribution of rare earth reserves and rare earth metals (REM) extracted in 2020 Country REM extracted (tonnes) Reserves (tonnes) % of total reserves China 140,000 44,000,000 38.0% Vietnam 1,000 22,000,000 19.0% Brazil 1,000 21,000,000 18.1% Russia 2,700 12,000,000 10.4% India 3,000 6,900,000 6.0% Australia 17,000 4,100,000 3.5% United States 38,000 1,500,000 1.3% Greenland - 1,500,000 1.3% Tanzania - 890,000 0.8% Canada - 830,000 0.7% South Africa - 790,000 0.7% Other countries 100 310,000 0.3% Burma 30,000 N/A N/A Madagascar 8,000 N/A N/A Thailand 2,000 N/A N/A Burundi 500 N/A N/A World Total 243,300 115,820,000 100% REM: Rare earth metals N/A: Data that is unavailable or undocumented

3 Resource 2 for Question 1 Trends in global demand for rare earth metals Rare earth metals are used in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines. Resource 3 for Question 1 News article highlighting the global rare earth metals shortage Controlled shortage of rare earth elements send chaos into global car industry Global concern over China’s control of critical mineral exports has intensified as carmakers and governments warn of supply disruptions. Beijing’s April 4 curbs on seven rare earth elements (REEs) and related magnets - vital for vehicles, defense, and clean energy - require special export licenses, citing national security and non-proliferation. China produces 60% of the world’s REEs and controls 90% of refining capacity (IEA, USGS 2025). The restrictions are prompting urgent diplomatic and industry interventions. Japan, India, and European officials are seeking meetings to expedite licenses, while the U.S. - which sources over 61% of its rare earths from China - faces potential shortages. Carmakers including Tesla, GM, Toyota, and Volkswagen warn of production risks for components from sensors to power steering. The U.S. mine at Mountain Pass remains reliant on Chinese processing, and the new Texas facility will produce just 1,000 tonnes annually by 2027 versus China’s 300,000 tonnes. The issue has reached the highest diplomatic levels, with a planned call between Presidents Trump and Xi, amid U.S. accusations that China is violating the Geneva trade agreement by delaying export relief.

4 Resource 4 for Question 2 Satellite image of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

5 Resource 5 for Question 2 Location of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam