RARE EARTH INDUSTRY – UNITED STATES

Breaking China’s rare earth control

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Original article by Jon Emont
The Australian – Page: 16 : 16-Jul-25

US-based MP Materials aims to challenge China’s dominance of the global rare earths market and the magnets that are made from rare earth elements. China currently produces around 90 per cent of the world’s rare-earth magnets, and imposed export controls on such products earlier this year. MP Materials will expand its existing plant at Fort Worth in Texas, with the aim of ramping up production of magnets from just 1,000 tonnes per annum to 10,000 tonnes. The Department of Defense recently agreed to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in MP Materials, and will become its largest shareholder

CORPORATES
MP MATERIALS CORPORATION, UNITED STATES. DEPT OF DEFENSE

Lynas’ near M&A target finds backer in Hancock

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Original article by Jemima Whyte
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 12 : 10-Apr-24

US-based rare earths producer MP Materials has disclosed that its shareholders include Hancock Prospecting. The Gina Rinehart-controlled company’s 5.3 per cent stake in MP Materials is worth about $US150m, based on the company’s current share price. Hancock’s stake was disclosed after MP Materials undertook a share buyback. Hancock also holds stakes in Australian-listed companies Brazilian Rare Earths and Arafura Rare Earths. MP Materials recently held merger talks with Lynas Rare Earths, although a deal did not eventuate.

CORPORATES
MP MATERIALS CORPORATION, HANCOCK PROSPECTING PTY LTD, LYNAS RARE EARTHS LIMITED – ASX LYC, BRAZILIAN RARE EARTHS LIMITED – ASX BRE, ARAFURA RARE EARTHS LIMITED – ASX ARU

Lynas shares surge on US rare earth plant agreement

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Original article by Nick Evans
The Weekend Australian – Page: 21 & 26 : 23-Jan-21

Shares in rare earths producer Lynas Corp closed up 13.7 per cent at $5.56 on 22 January after it advised it had struck an agreement to construct a $60 million processing plant in Texas to produce rare earth products. The US Defence Department will pay half the cost of the plant, which will make products for US strategic stockpiles. Lynas is the only non-Chinese refiner of rare earth products, which are used in the manufacture of equipment such as missile systems and high-­performance magnets, and the increased tension between the US and China has seen the US keen to reduce its reliance on China for the supply of such products.

CORPORATES
LYNAS RARE EARTHS LIMITED – ASX LYC, UNITED STATES. DEPT OF DEFENSE

Lynas refuses to risk staff in virus hot spot

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 28 : 27-Nov-20

The US military is providing funding for a rare earths processing plant to be built in Texas under a partnership between Australian-listed rare earths producer Lynas Corporation and US-based Blue Line. The Pentagon wants the plant to be built to end to China’s dominance of "commercial-scale" separation of heavy rare earths materials. However, Lynas MD Amanda Lacaze has told its AGM that the plant could be delayed as it will not built without the involvement of its engineers, and she will not send anyone to Texas while COVID-19 cases in the state are so high. It is estimated that the plant will cost around $US50 million ($68 million).

CORPORATES
LYNAS CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX LYC, BLUE LINE