French Rare Earth Firm Carester Inks 10-Year Deal with Malaysia's Malaco Mining for Joint Plant

[SMM Rare Earth Daily Review: Rare Earth Prices Diverge, Tug-of-War Between Upstream and Downstream Continues] Overall, affected by the intense tug-of-war between upstream and downstream, oxide market prices exhibited notable fluctuations, while the metal market, due to slightly sluggish inquiries, saw suppliers’ quotes remain relatively firm without obvious adjustments. In the short term, production cuts or shutdowns at some raw ore separation and scrap recycling plants are expected to weaken oxide suppliers' willingness to sell at low prices, which may push Pr-Nd product prices to drift higher amid consolidation.

[SMM Flash] Malaysia's Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Trade and International Relations will hold a hearing on July 16 to examine the $96 million rare earth supply agreement signed between Australia's Lynas Rare Earths and the US Department of Defense. Previously, more than 20 non-governmental organizations staged a protest rally near the Parliament building and submitted a memorandum to lawmakers, demanding the government stop Lynas from supplying rare earth oxides used in weapons manufacturing to the US Department of Defense. The hearing will invite representatives from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lynas to attend, and its conclusions will be submitted to the government as a basis for formulating the national rare earth policy. This move indicates strong public concern in Malaysia over the use of rare earths for military purposes, which may influence the future direction of the country's rare earth industry policy.

[Light Rare Earth Under Pressure and Pulling Back, Medium-Heavy Rare Earth Firm, Magnetic Material Scrap in the Doldrums] Yesterday, Pr-Nd alloy prices pulled back slightly, affected by sluggish market inquiries, compounded by raw material price pullbacks. Although metal plants slightly lowered their offers, actual trading remained stagnant. In the medium-heavy rare earth segment, terbium metal prices continued to rise, supported by oxide costs, while dysprosium-iron alloy prices held steady.