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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


Belfast magnet recycling plant rendering
Ionic to raise $8m for Belfast demo and commercial rare earths recycling
5th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths has received binding commitments for a placement to raise $8-million, which is poised to be supported by domestic and international institutional investors. The... 


George Bennett
Rainbow Rare Earths makes new executive, managerial appointments
5th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

LSE-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has confirmed the appointments of James Beams as executive director and Brent Holme as the company’s environmental, social and sustainability manager, with both... 


Drill core recovered at the Makuutu project
Ionic launches strategic review of Uganda rare earths project
31st July 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths has, through its 60%-owned Rwenzori Rare Metals subsidiary, initiated a strategic review of the Makuutu heavy rare earths project, in Uganda, amid strong inbound... 


Halleck Creek exploration works
American Rare Earths evaluating best pathways to list in US
31st July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed American Rare Earths says it remains committed to a listing on Nasdaq in the US and is examining pathways to achieve it, including a compliance listing as well as other transaction... 


Rare earths on the periodic table
Trump orders restrictions on export of critical minerals scrap, White House officials say
31st July 2026 By: Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an order giving federal officials the power to block exports of old batteries and other electronic waste filled with critical minerals, part of a... 


Image of rare earths
Colossus rare earths project, Brazil – update
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Viridis Mining & Minerals' rare-earth carbonate demonstration plant has achieved steady-state continuous production following its initial startup in May 2026. 


Mineral sample from Caldeira project
Caldeira rare earths project, Brazil – update
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Meteoric Resources has entered into a nonbinding memorandum of strategic partnership with POSCO International to support the long-term development and timely commercial production of rare-earth... 


Creamer Media over for Africa Mining Pip 2026 report
Africa Mining Projects in Progress 2026
30th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Africa has a large and varied mining project pipeline, with projects at different stages of development, from early exploration and study work to financing, construction and expansion. These... 


Rare earth oxides
Japan's Jogmec to invest up to $34m in Toyota Tsusho rare earth venture in Namibia
30th July 2026 By: Reuters

Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and Toyota Tsusho said on Thursday that the former will invest up to C$47.7-million ($33.9-million) in a Toyota Tsusho unit developing a heavy rare... 


White Mesa Mill
Energy Fuels kicks off Utah rare-earth expansion to boost US magnet supply
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Miner Energy Fuels said on Wednesday that construction has begun to expand its White Mesa Mill in Utah to enable large-scale production of heavy rare-earth oxides, for use in magnets and other... 


IMC Rare Earths Itarantim project area in Brazil
NYSE welcomes newest rare earths developer IMC Rare Earths with $20m IPO
29th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Brazil-focused IMC Rare Earths has successfully raised $20-million from its initial public offering (IPO) on the NYSE. The company priced four-million shares at a price of $5 apiece. 


Neodymium magnet powder
US backs Madagascar rare earths project in push to loosen China's supply chain grip
28th July 2026 By: Reuters

The US is backing the Ampasindava rare earths project in Madagascar as part of its strategy to loosen the dominance of rivals in critical minerals supply chains, the State Department has said,... 


PwC Associate Director Smart Mining South Africa Ian Mackay.
AI can help fill South Africa’s cadastre with deposits, mine modernising event hears
27th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Instead of relying primarily on traditional geological interpretation, South Africa can turn to AI for help in the same way as has been done with huge success to discover Zambia’s biggest copper... 


Rare earth mineral samples
Indonesia seeks to resolve mineral export bottlenecks caused by rare earth content
27th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia's presidential staff office has called for cooperation between government agencies, law enforcement officials and industry to resolve mineral shipment bottlenecks caused by a lack of... 


An image of rare earths symbols
Consortium shortlisted to develop Kenya project
24th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Critical minerals mining company Critical Metals Corporation has announced that the Mrima Earth Consortium, in which the company is the lead party, has been shortlisted as one of three US... 


LKAB Kiruna mine, in Sweden
Sweden declares mining national security interest to counter dependence on China
24th July 2026 By: Reuters

Sweden's government declared mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security interest on Thursday, saying a new mining strategy was needed to counter the dependence on China.... 


Rare earth mineralisastion
Rare earths explorer Idaho Strategies finds large intercepts of 'heavies' such as yttrium
24th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

NYSE-listed Idaho Strategies Resources has identified significant heavy rare earths (HRE) mineralisation, including yttrium, at its Diamond Creek project, in Idaho. The company's latest surface... 


Rare earths
Lofdal heavy rare earths project, Namibia – update
24th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The joint management committee overseeing Lofdal has approved the next phase of the definitive feasibility study. 


Rare earth oxides
USA Rare Earth seals deal to buy stake in French processor Carester
23rd July 2026 By: Reuters

USA Rare Earth finalised a deal on Thursday to buy a minority stake in France's Carester that will provide funds for expansion of a processing plant due to open later this year. The move is part... 


Rare earths
US govt to award Aclara with federal funding for AI rare earths seperation project
23rd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-listed rare earths developer Aclara Resources has been selected to receive federal funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to advance AI-driven heavy rare earths processing. The US DoE's... 


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