Gallium
Gallium is essential for making high-efficiency solar panels.
China is one of the biggest suppliers of gallium, which they get as a by-product from mining bauxite and zinc. Gallium is mainly used in gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar panels, which are more efficient than regular silicon ones.
These GaAs panels are crucial for satellites and space missions because they’re highly efficient and can withstand radiation. China controls most of the gallium mining and refining, giving them economic and political power. The growing demand for gallium has pushed for better environmental and working conditions in the mines.