According to a report on the Northern Miner website, MP Materials announced on Wednesday that its independent facility in Texas has commenced commercial production of Pr-Nd alloy and begun trial production of NdFeB magnets.
It is reported that this facility, located in Fort Worth, will utilize raw materials produced from the Mountain Pass rare earth mine in California, aiming to establish an integrated US-based production facility for rare earth metals, alloys, and magnets.
MP Materials expects an annual production of approximately 1,000 mt of NdFeB permanent magnets, with production gradually increasing in H2 this year. By year-end, the company plans to deliver automotive-grade sintered magnets for the first time, supplying a significant volume of magnet products to General Motors.
James Litinsky, founder, president, and CEO of MP Materials, stated in a press release, "This milestone marks an important step in restoring an integrated rare earth permanent magnet supply chain in the US."
Last year, the Mountain Pass rare earth mine, an open-pit operation, produced 45,000 mt of rare earth concentrate, setting a record for the highest level of US domestic rare earth production. The company also produced 1,300 mt of Pr-Nd oxide, another record high.
NdFeB permanent magnets are critical for the production of EVs, robotics, electronics, aerospace, drones, and defense systems, yet US consumption of rare earth materials is almost entirely reliant on imports.
High-efficiency strong magnets are crucial for green energy transitions and the development of low-carbon technologies.
