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Rare Earths

Rare earths are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements comprising the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium, which are critical to modern technology and industrial applications. Despite their name, most rare-earth elements are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, but economically viable concentrations are uncommon and extraction is technically challenging. These elements possess unique magnetic, luminescent and electrochemical properties that make them indispensable in high-performance magnets, batteries, catalysts, phosphors and electronic components. Key rare-earth elements include neodymium and praseodymium, which are essential for permanent magnets in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, as well as dysprosium and terbium, which enhance magnet performance at high temperatures. Other important rare earths include lanthanum and cerium, used in catalytic converters and battery alloys, and europium and yttrium, critical for display screens and lighting. China dominates global rare-earth production and processing, controlling an estimated 60% to 70% of mine output and more than 85% of refining capacity, which has prompted efforts by other countries including the United States, Australia, Canada and Brazil to develop alternative supply chains. The concentration of supply has raised concerns about resource security, particularly as demand for rare earths is projected to grow sharply with the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy and advanced electronics. Rare-earth mining and processing are associated with significant environmental challenges, including the management of radioactive by-products and acidic tailings. Geopolitical interest in rare earths has intensified in recent years, with governments and mining companies seeking to establish new projects and reduce dependence on dominant suppliers. The sector is characterised by long development lead times, high capital costs and complex metallurgical processes that separate individual elements from mixed ores.

Rare Earths News


Mt Lindsay twin decline development concept rendering
Australian explorer Critica confirms tungsten project potential in Tasmania
29th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A newly published scoping study on ASX-listed Critica's Mt Lindsay tin/tungsten project in Tasmania finds the proposed one-million-tonne-a-year underground mining and processing development has an... 


High-grade fluorspar ore from Monte Muambe
NeoTerra applies for $5m in funding to support potential expansion of Moz fluorspar mine
28th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

African critical minerals exploration and development company NeoTerra Group has applied for a $5-million grant under the US-Africa Strategic Investment Program to support the assessment of a... 


Greenland Mines exploration in Greenland
Greenland Mines announces secondary listing of shares in Europe
28th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Greenland Mines has announced a secondary listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with trading of its common shares having started trading on September 25. The listing provides... 


Rainbow Rare Earths CEO George Bennett
Rainbow Rare Earths secures Neo Performance Materials as technical, offtake partner
25th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

London-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Toronto-listed Neo Performance Materials for technical support and design input for Rainbow's final solvent... 


Rare earths periodic table
Heavy rare earths central to Western supply squeeze as market grows
23rd September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Global consultancy The Business Research Company estimates the global rare earths market will grow from $6.86-billion in 2026 to $10.44-billion by 2030, which equates to a compound annual growth... 


Greenland landscape
Rare earths developer in Greenland says security agreement with US, Denmark shows region's strategic importance
21st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Rare earths developer Greenland Mines has welcomed a landmark security agreement between the US, Denmark and Greenland, saying it provides for a substantially expanded and enduring US security... 


Novo Cruzeiro project
Canadian explorer Atlantico finds multiple rare earth, gallium targets in Brazil
21st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian critical minerals explorer Atlantico Energy Metals Corporation has identified overlapping rare earth indicators on the Novo Cruzeiro project, in Brazil, while also having found gallium in... 


Rare earth oxides produced by MP Materials
China Rare Earth Group in talks to buy MP Materials shareholder Shenghe Resources, sources say
18th September 2026 By: Reuters

State-owned China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire Shenghe Resources, said two sources with knowledge of the matter, a move that would consolidate Beijing's control over the sector and give... 


Nolans rare earths project
Arafura secures extended offtake agreement with wind turbine maker
18th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Arafura Rare Earths has announced an extended agreement with an offtaker to supply up to 500 t/y of neodymium and praseodymium oxide-equivalent. The company has an existing agreement in... 


Image Malawi map/flag
Kasiya Critical Minerals project, Malawi – update
18th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A scoping study has confirmed the potential to recover a monazite rare-earth concentrate as a third product from Kasiya. 


Rare earth samples
USA Rare Earth announces AI, quantum computing partnership for optimised processing
17th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed miner USA Rare Earth, quantum computing company Pasqal, as well as AI specialist Raven Systems have announced a strategic partnership to develop next-generation separation technology... 


Rare earths periodic table and oxides
Critical Metals finds promising economics for proposed rare earths refinery in Romania
17th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Critical Metals Corporation has released a study on its proposed 50/50 joint venture rare earths refinery with State-owned Romanian entity Fabrica de Prelucrare a Concentratelor de... 


SMM COO Aidan Schoonbee
Steenkampskraal appoints Aidan Schoonbee COO
16th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine's (SMM's) newly appointed COO, Aiden Schoonbee, will oversee the Western Cape-based thorium and rare earth project’s execution into full production and the subsequent... 


Former Neo Performance Materials CEO Constantine Karayannopoulos
Greenland Mines forms strategic advisory board with critical mineral-versed experts
15th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Greenland Mines has formed a strategic advisory board with initial members Constantine Karayannopoulos, Thomas Abraham-James, and Bent Olsvig Jensen having been appointed. The... 


Ionic Rare Earths nonexecutive director James Rutherford
Ionic Rare Earths garners Rutherford as nonexec director
14th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths has appointed James Rutherford nonexecutive director effective immediately. He initially joined the company in an advisory role in February, with the nonexecutive... 


Yttrium chemical symbol
How obscure yttrium became a global flashpoint
14th September 2026 By: Reuters

If you want an insight into the state of the world right now, it's worth taking a look at yttrium. This obscure member of the rare earths family is going to be high on the agenda when China's... 


Itarantim project area in Brazil
Brazilian rare earths developer IMC produces first mixed carbonate, records high terbium recovery rates
11th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

NYSE-listed IMC Rare Earths has managed to achieve terbium recoveries of up to 95.2% from laboratory-scale metallurgical testwork at its Itarantim ionic adsorption clay project in Brazil. The... 


Location map of the Tiros project
Tiros rare earths and titanium project, Brazil
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Tiros Minerais Estratégicos Mineração Ltda is planning a staged starter operation at Tiros processing 500 000 t/y over an initial 20-year mine life. 


Scoop of rare earths
Colossus rare earths project, Brazil – update
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Viridis placed its first major process-equipment order for Colossus on September 7, 2026. 


Mounds of rare earth elements
Uberaba rare earth elements project, Brazil – update
11th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rainbow Rare Earths and Mosaic have started the prefeasibility study on the project under their joint project development agreement. 


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pqt: 0.157s - ct: 0.209s - 277pq - 2rq
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