Praseodymium-neodymium oxides prices rose for five days as demand picks up

[SMM Rare Earth Flash News] Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Toyota Tsusho have announced that JOGMEC will invest up to C$47.7 million (approximately $33.9 million) in Toyota Tsusho’s Namibian rare earth project company to jointly develop the Lofdal heavy rare earth mine in Namibia. This is expected to become Japan’s first rare earth mine project in Africa, enhancing the supply security of critical minerals. The Lofdal deposit is rich in heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium, which can be used in permanent magnetic materials for NEV motors, among other applications. The two parties will conduct a feasibility study through a newly established project company and plan to make a final investment decision in fiscal year 2027.

[SMM Rare Earth Express] Harena Rare Earths announced that its Ampasindava rare earth project in Madagascar has received $4.48 million in funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to support pilot plant construction, laboratory testing, and environmental protection projects, laying the groundwork for subsequent financing. The Ampasindava ion-adsorption rare earth ore project plans to start production in mid-2028, with an expected annual output of approximately 4,000 mt of rare earth oxides, including about 1,700 mt of high-value magnetic rare earths such as Pr-Nd, dysprosium, and terbium, and a total investment of approximately $150 million. Harena is also evaluating building processing capacity in the US and Europe, and is in discussions with enterprises such as MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, and Solvay on cooperation.

[SMM Flash de Tierras Raras] El gobierno de Estados Unidos ha decidido apoyar el proyecto de tierras raras de Ampasindava en Madagascar para promover la diversificación de la cadena de suministro de minerales críticos y reducir la dependencia de los suministros de tierras raras de China. El desarrollador del proyecto, Harena Rare Earths, indicó que la Corporación Financiera de Desarrollo Internacional de Estados Unidos (DFC) ha comprometido hasta $4,48 millones para una planta piloto, pruebas de laboratorio y proyectos de protección medioambiental, allanando el camino para financiación posterior. Está previsto que la mina de tierras raras por adsorción iónica comience a producir a mediados de 2028, con una producción anual estimada de aproximadamente 4.000 toneladas métricas de óxidos de tierras raras, de las cuales alrededor de 1.700 toneladas métricas corresponden a tierras raras para materiales magnéticos, como el neodimio-praseodimio, el disprosio y el terbio. La inversión total del proyecto asciende a aproximadamente $150 millones.