Nd

Neodymium

Projects

Major Neodymium Projects Worldwide

The development pipeline for Neodymium projects spans exploration through production across multiple jurisdictions. We track 5 key projects that will shape the future supply landscape for this rare earth element.

Current Production

35,000

tonnes REO

Top Producer

China

62% share

Projects Tracked

5

Reserves

Part of total REE reserves (17M tonnes)

Neodymium Project Pipeline

The following projects represent the most significant Neodymium operations and development-stage assets worldwide:

Bayan Obo

Northern Rare Earths/Baotou Steel

Production
Country: China Capacity: ~50,000+ tonnes REO/year

Worlds largest rare earth mine; neodymium is the most commercially valuable output element

Mt Weld + Kalgoorlie

Lynas Rare Earths

Production/Expansion
Country: Australia Capacity: ~10,500 tonnes REO/year (expanding)

Highest-grade rare earth deposit; Kalgoorlie facility adds heavy REE separation

Mountain Pass + Fort Worth

MP Materials

Production/Construction
Country: United States Capacity: ~43,000 t concentrate; Fort Worth magnets from 2025

Only active US rare earth mine; building vertically integrated mine-to-magnet supply chain

Wicheeda

Defense Metals

PFS
Country: Canada Capacity: ~25,000 tonnes REO/year

Large carbonatite-hosted rare earth deposit in British Columbia

Nolans

Arafura Rare Earths

Approved/Financing
Country: Australia Capacity: ~4,440 tonnes NdPr oxide/year

Advanced Australian NdPr project targeting non-Chinese magnet supply chain

Government Support and Strategic Initiatives

Recognizing the strategic importance of Neodymium, 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, Neodymium 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 Neodymium projects within the EU and partner nations.

Key Industry Developments

Recent developments affecting the Neodymium project landscape:

2010-2011

Chinese export restrictions caused NdPr oxide prices to surge from $30/kg to over $250/kg, triggering global rare earth supply chain panic

2015

WTO ruled against Chinese export quotas; China replaced with resource taxes; prices stabilized at $40-60/kg

2019

China threatened rare earth export restrictions during US-China trade tensions; Xi Jinping visited JL MAG, signaling possible weaponization of rare earth supply

2021-2022

NdPr oxide prices surged to $130/kg driven by EV motor demand growth and Chinese production discipline

2023

China imposed export controls on rare earth separation and magnet technologies, restricting Western ability to build independent NdFeB supply chains

2024

MP Materials began NdFeB magnet production at Fort Worth, Texas - first US-made rare earth magnets in decades

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