Rare Earth Innovation Competition Sees 16 Projects Settle in Baotou High-Tech Zone

Recently, the project "Geological Survey and Block Optimization of Strategic Emerging Industry Minerals," led by the Institute of Mineral Resources of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, has achieved significant prospecting progress in the Mianning working area of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The discovery is located on the important Mianning-Dechang rare earth metallogenic belt and represents another landmark breakthrough in the exploration of concealed rare earth deposits in thick overburden areas within this belt, providing new physical support for increasing regional rare earth reserves and production.

On August 13, 2026, India opened its REPM magnet subsidy bids (20 vying for 5 slots), but with only ~25% upstream NdPr self-sufficiency, zero commercial heavy-rare-earth capacity, a near-blank midstream magnet base, and multi-year auto-grade certification lead times, the policy clock runs far ahead of industrial reality. Demand is real and rising with EVs and motors, yet building the full chain will take a decade—potential is real, timing is early.

【SMM Rare Earth Flash】 Shenghe Resources (600392.SH) released its 2026 semi-annual report and the "2026-2028 Development Plan." In H1, revenue reached RMB 8.759 billion, up 41.76% YoY; net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 887 million, up 135.24% YoY. Key overseas milestones: the Fungoni project in Tanzania commenced heavy mineral concentrate shipments in July, and the Tajiri project's roughing plant achieved stable production. By end-2025, the company acquired the world-class Ngualla rare earth project in Tanzania with 4.62 million tonnes of REO resources. Shenghe aims to become a global rare earth leader by 2028, targeting REO concentrate capacity of ≥30,000 t/y and recycling capacity of 15,000 t/y. The Ngualla project is targeted to complete construction by 2027 and reach commercial production by 2028.