USAR Launches Heavy Rare Earth Hydrometallurgy Plant in Colorado, Aims for Q3 2026 Oxide Production

[Lead-Zinc Ore Market Dynamics] It is reported that the Regulations for the Implementation of the Mineral Resources Law of the People's Republic of China were adopted at the 85th Executive Meeting of the State Council on May 9, 2026, and came into force on June 15, 2026. The Regulations officially include 36 types of critical minerals such as lead and zinc, rare earths, lithium, cobalt, gallium, and germanium in the national catalog of strategic mineral resources.

[SMM Rare Earth Flash] On June 22, the Ministry of Commerce issued Announcement No. 23 of 2026. In accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China, and other laws and regulations, and to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, it decided to add 10 US entities, including Avioxx Corporation, to the export control list. Effective immediately, export operators are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to the above entities, and organizations and individuals in any country or region are prohibited from transferring or supplying dual-use items originating in China to the above entities. Under special circumstances where export is genuinely necessary, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce. The 10 US entities added to the list this time cover sectors such as aerospace, drones, robotics, and defense. Notably, two US rare earth enterprises — MP Materials Corp. and USA Rare Earth, Inc. — are both included. MP Materials is the only operating rare earth mine operator in the US, and USA Rare Earth is advancing a vertical integration strategy from mining to magnet manufacturing. This marks the first time China has included US rare earth enterprises on its export control list.

Energy Transition Minerals has discovered a new 1.8 km-long target in southern Greenland, with characteristics similar to the Kvanefjeld rare earth deposit but with uranium content below the prohibition threshold of 0.01% set by the Greenland government. Last year, the company identified 10 new targets within the Kvanefjeld license area, where rock chip sampling returned total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades of up to 3.97%, with high dysprosium and terbium contents. As climate change reduces permanent snow and ice cover, making previously inaccessible areas reachable, the company has also delineated a new-type volcanic rhyolite anomaly that differs from conventional fenite alteration targets. Energy Transition Minerals is currently seeking to renew the Kvanefjeld license.