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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


Chilean Cobalt drill core samples
Rare earths explorer Chilean Cobalt starts next earn-in phase of work, ships carbonate concentrate samples
15th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

As US-based Chilean Cobalt Corporation works to earn 100% ownership of the NeoRe rare earths project in southern Chile, the company has completed a Phase 1 work programme and has actively started... 


Rare earth samples from Round Top project, in Texas
USA Rare Earth successfully produces technically-demanding dysprosium from magnet scrap
14th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed USA Rare Earth has successfully produced commercial-grade dysprosium oxide and neodymium-praseodymium oxide samples from recycled rare earth magnet scrap at its Wheat Ridge... 


Northern Minerals' Browns Range project
Australia blocks voting rights of some China-linked investors in Northern Minerals
14th July 2026 By: Reuters

Northern Minerals said on Tuesday that Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has ordered three offshore investment firms, including Hong Kong Ying Tak, to refrain from exercising their voting rights in... 


Yangibana project area
Updated DFS confirms robust economics, early production start for Hasting's Yangibana rare earths project
13th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

An updated definitive feasibility study (DFS) on ASX-listed Hastings Technology Metals' Yangibana rare earths and niobium project, in Western Australia, has provided a derisked pathway to Stage 1... 


Rendering of the Belfast magnet recycling facility
Ionic commissions Tenova for Belfast magnet facility FEED study
13th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths has taken another step forward in developing a commercial magnet recycling plant in the UK, commissioning Tenova Advanced Technologies (TAT) to conduct the front-end... 


Image of Colosseum rare earths deposit
Colosseum gold and rare earths project, US
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Mining and exploration company Dateline Resources proposes to restart the former Colosseum gold mine, which produced about 344 000 oz of gold before mining ceased in 1992. 


Three large yellow load haul trucks at the Longonjo rare earths mine in Angola
Major rare earths mine construction progresses
10th July 2026 By: Halima Frost

The construction of the Longonjo rare earths mine in Angola is progressing on target and on budget for first mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) commissioning in 2027, according to owner and operator... 


Piles of rare earths
Goschen rare earths and mineral sands project, Australia – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

VHM Limited has entered into an agreement with fellow-listed Iluka Resources for the long-term supply of all planned rare-earth concentrate. 


Image of rare earths
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Work is continuing at the project, with the focus being on optimising and simplifying the flowsheet to enhance the plant operability and reduce risk when moving to commercial scale. 


Drill core from the Monet Muambe project
Monte Muambe rare earths, fluorspar and gallium project, Mozambique – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

NeoTerra has reported metallurgical breakthroughs, which have significantly derisked the development of the project’s multicommodity flowsheet. 


Aerial view of the Longonjo project site
Longonjo rare earths mine/refinery project, Angola – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Longonjo development remains on target and on budget for first mixed rare-earth carbonate commissioning in 2027. 


Image of a lump of graphite
Kasiya rutile/graphite project, Malawi – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rio Tinto has notified Aim- and ASX-listed Sovereign Metals that it will not exercise its option to elect to become operator of the project. 


Wolfsberg lithium project, in Austria
Greenland-focused Critical Minerals tasks adviser to evaluate non-core asset portfolio
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Critical Minerals Corporation has announced a strategic process to unlock the inherent value of its non-core assets, retaining Clear Street as financial adviser to evaluate a range of... 


Caldeira project rendering
Meteoric Resources expands measured resources of Caldeira rare earths project by 246%
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Meteoric Resources has increased the measured resources of its Caldeira project by 246% to 128-million tonnes grading 2 815 parts per million (ppm) of total rare earth oxide (TREO),... 


Rare earths
Victory Metals ships heavy rare earth concentrate samples to potential offtake partners
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Victory Metals has successfully dispatched heavy rare earth concentrate to potential offtake partners in Australia, Japan and the US for independent product examination. The company... 


Viridis drilling at Colossus project, in Brazil
Viridis announces industry-leading MRE on Colossus rare earths project
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Viridis Mining & Minerals has upgraded the mineral resource estimate (MRE) of its Colossus rare earths project, in Brazil, following targeted infill drilling. The measured and indicated... 


REalloys project site
REalloys inks letter of intent to work with magnet manufacturer
8th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed REalloys has signed a letter of intent with a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced permanent magnets, JS Link, to evaluate a strategic partnership to develop an integrated... 


Ucore's RapidSX technology
Ucore sends commercial-grade dysprosium samples for offtaker evaluation
7th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Ucore Rare Metals has produced commercial-grade 99.9% dysprosium oxide that will be sent to major rare earth permanent magnet and electronics manufacturers for technical evaluation.... 


An image of Monte Muambe
NeoTerra highlights metallurgical gains at Mozambique project
7th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed NeoTerra says metallurgical breakthroughs at its Monte Muambe project, in Mozambique, have significantly de-risked development of the project’s multi-commodity flowsheet, confirming a... 


Rare earth oxides
Corporate Japan's rare-earth warnings get louder as China keeps the spigot closed
7th July 2026 By: Reuters

A shortage of critical minerals is starting to affect the broader Japanese economy, adding a sense of urgency for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to find alternatives to exports that... 


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