https://www.miningweekly.com

Receive our free daily newsletter:

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


Titanium and zircon in hand
Energy Fuels strikes $1bn deal for German magnet maker to build mine-to-magnet supply chain
Updated 7 hours ago By: Reuters

Colorado-based Energy Fuels said on Tuesday it would acquire German magnet manufacturer Vacuumschmelze for about $1.9-billion in cash and stock, building an integrated supply chain from rare earth... 


Las Pilas rare earths project area, in British Columbia
Lithium Corporation expands rare earths land tenure in British Columbia as optionee explores
23rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based lithium and rare earths exploration company Lithium Corporation has secured a land position covering about 13 000 acres, or 5 400 ha, that is prospective for rare earths mineralisation at... 


Ucore's rare earths processing facility
Ucore ships qualification samples of NdPr oxide to potential offtakers
23rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Ucore Rare Metals has successfully produced commercial-grade neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide and shipped initial qualification samples to major rare earth permanent magnet... 


Eneabba mine
Iluka secures $1.2bn loan from Australia for rare earths refinery
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Iluka Resources said on Tuesday that the Australian government has provided a A$1.65-billion ($1.15-billion) non-recourse loan to build the Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia. Iluka... 


Critical minerals ore
Orion CMC in advanced discussions for three Asian partnerships
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC), a minerals investment group backed by the US government, is in advanced discussions to establish three new public-private partnerships in Asia as it... 


An image of Monte Muambe
Altona changes name to reflect broader goals
22nd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed Altona Rare Earths has changed its name to NeoTerra Group, effective June 22, to reflect its evolution from a rare earth-focused exploration company into a broader critical minerals... 


Rare earths drill core
EU courts Brazil as strategic partner in global race for critical minerals
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

The EU is turning to Brazil as a strategic partner in its push to diversify its critical mineral supplies, offering a deal that it says will be beneficial to Brazil's development goals, EU... 


Rare earth oxides produced by MP Materials
China places two US rare earths producers on export control list
22nd June 2026 By: Bloomberg

China has imposed export controls on two US rare earth producers that are part of Washington’s effort to establish alternative supply chains for minerals critical to advanced manufacturing and... 


Image of rare earths
Lofdal heavy rare earths project, Namibia – update
19th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Namibia Critical Metals has started a five-month drilling programme. 


An image of the Longonjo project
Pensana’s Qatari backer bolsters board
18th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Sheikh Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Faheid Al-Hajri has joined the board of the Qatar-backed Cascade Natural Resources and has expressed his support for the company’s $165-million strategic investment... 


Circuit board in hand
Rare earths recovery company Paladin Envirotech opens new US e-waste recycling sites
18th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Rare earths recovery company Paladin Envirotech has announced a major expansion of its US operations to scale domestic processing capacity and strengthen critical materials recovery... 


Critical Metals drilling on Tanbreez project
Critical Metals starts drilling on Tanbreez rare earths project in Greenland
18th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Having secured full ownership of the Tanbreez rare earths project in recent weeks, Nasdaq-listed Critical Metals Corporation has started with a 10 000 m diamond drilling campaign on the... 


Rare earth chemical symbols
Victory Metals inaugurates rare earths pilot plant in Perth
18th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Australia's federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has officiated the launch of ASX-listed rare earths developer Victory Metals' pilot plant, in Perth. The pilot plant paves the way for the... 


Kenya President William Ruto
Kenya, US close in on critical minerals deal, Ruto says
18th June 2026 By: Reuters

Kenya is close to sealing a critical minerals deal with the U.S. under which it would process its own resources domestically, its president said on the sidelines of the G7 summit on Thursday,... 


Rare earth mineralisation
European Resources works to convert new exploration target to stronger MRE at Korsnäs
17th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed European Resources has defined an updated exploration target for the Korsnäs rare earths project, in Finland, of about 18-million tonnes to 32-million tonnes grading between 0.8% and 1%... 


Aclara Resources rare earths
G7 leaders tackle reliance on China for critical minerals
17th June 2026 By: Reuters

G7 host France is pushing partners to agree a statement on critical minerals on Wednesday that could include measures to help the West reduce its reliance on China and shield investors from... 


Resources Watch
Resources Watch
17th June 2026

This week: Africa must create conditions that allow investment to flourish, Junior Indaba hears; South Africa’s Zandkopsdrift rare earths project highlighted at Junior Indaba and, Electra Mining... 


An image of titanium
PEA confirms robust economics of Resouro’s Brazil project
15th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Resouro Strategic Metals says it has delivered on a “major milestone” with the completion of the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for a starter operation at its flagship Tiros rare... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
MMC, rare earths, Jr mining opportunities make headlines
12th June 2026

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the completion of Manganese Metal Company’s new plant in Mpumalanga; the rare earths project in the Northern Cape that was highlighted on day two of... 


Nechalacho rare earths project, in Canada's Northwest Territories
Lithium, rare earths developer Avalon opens offices in two Canadian regions and US
12th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-listed critical minerals developer Avalon Advanced Materials has opened three office locations to support the advancement of its Canadian and US operations, as well as its market connectivity.... 


1
2 3

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







pqt: 0.154s - ct: 0.219s - 275pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now