Cerium
Projects
Major Cerium Projects Worldwide
The development pipeline for Cerium projects spans exploration through production across multiple jurisdictions. We track 3 key projects that will shape the future supply landscape for this rare earth element.
Current Production
65,000
tonnes REO
Top Producer
China
62% share
Projects Tracked
3
Reserves
17 million tonnes (total rare earth reserves)
Cerium Project Pipeline
The following projects represent the most significant Cerium operations and development-stage assets worldwide:
Bayan Obo Mine
Northern Rare Earths/Baotou Steel
Worlds largest rare earth mine producing massive volumes of bastnasite and monazite; cerium is the most abundant output element at ~50% of light REE content
Mt Weld
Lynas Rare Earths
Highest-grade rare earth deposit globally; cerium oxide is a major product of the LAMP processing facility in Malaysia
Mountain Pass
MP Materials
Sole active US rare earth mine; building Stage II and III processing to produce separated cerium and other rare earth oxides domestically
Government Support and Strategic Initiatives
Recognizing the strategic importance of Cerium, governments in major consuming nations have launched programs to support project development. These include direct financing, loan guarantees, streamlined permitting, and bilateral resource partnerships. As a USGS-listed critical mineral, Cerium projects are eligible for various U.S. government support mechanisms including the Defense Production Act Title III program. EU Critical Raw Materials Act provisions enable fast-track permitting and financing support for Cerium projects within the EU and partner nations.
Key Industry Developments
Recent developments affecting the Cerium project landscape:
Chinas rare earth export quota crisis drove cerium oxide prices from ~$5/kg to over $80/kg before crashing back as quotas were lifted and demand destroyed
WTO ruled against Chinas rare earth export quotas; China replaced quotas with resource taxes, stabilizing the market
China threatened to restrict rare earth exports during US-China trade tensions, causing temporary cerium price spike
China imposed export controls on rare earth processing technologies, affecting the ability of Western nations to build independent cerium processing
Cerium oversupply persisted as a challenge for miners; cerium's low value relative to other rare earths made it a drag on project economics for NdPr-focused operations
More on Cerium
Explore other aspects of the Cerium value chain.
Uses & Applications
Explore uses & applications for Cerium.
Supply Chain
Explore supply chain for Cerium.
Mining & Processing
Explore mining & processing for Cerium.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore refining & grade specs for Cerium.
Recycling
Explore recycling for Cerium.
Substitutes
Explore substitutes for Cerium.
Return to the Cerium hub page or browse the full Mineral Library.