According to Mining Weekly, rare earth developer Pensana has reported that the site of its rare earth smelter processing plant in Longonjo, Angola, has been expanded, paving the way for accelerated construction of the plant.

SMM's monthly production data for base metals is released at the end of each month, aiming to uncover the true fundamentals for industry chain professionals and investors, and providing a clearer grasp of the future direction of the metals market.

[SMM Rare Earth Daily Review: Purchases by Major Manufacturers Drive Significant Increase in Medium-Heavy Rare Earth Prices] Currently, the rare earth market prices are showing a polarized trend. Light rare earth prices remain relatively stable, while medium-heavy rare earth prices have risen significantly, driven by purchases from major manufacturers. Specifically, the medium-heavy rare earth market was in the doldrums some time ago, but influenced by the purchases of major manufacturers, market sentiment has turned bullish again. Some suppliers have raised their quotes to test market reactions. In contrast, light rare earth prices have remained stable due to the support of raw material costs and weak demand for metals from magnetic material enterprises.

[SMM Analysis: Prices Showed Good Momentum in H1, How Will the Rare Earth Market Evolve in H2?] In the blink of an eye, we have already entered the second half of 2025. For the rare earth market in the first half of the year, it seemed that every day was full of uncertainties. During this period, rare earth prices experienced several ups and downs, but from a more macro perspective, the overall price trend still showed a certain upward trajectory.

[SMM Rare Earth Morning Meeting Summary: Rare Earth Market Remains Stable Overall, with Upstream and Downstream Players Maintaining a Wait-and-See Attitude] The rare earth market remains stable, with low trading activity. Most industry participants report that the rare earth market has been very quiet recently, and it is expected that rare earth prices will not see significant fluctuations in the short term.

At the beginning of June, driven by policy-related news, upstream suppliers significantly raised their quotes for Pr-Nd products. However, downstream demand failed to keep pace, and due to reluctance to accept high prices, Pr-Nd prices began to correct in mid-June. Nevertheless, in late June, influenced by factors such as long-term agreement deliveries at month-end, frequent tenders by major magnetic material manufacturers, and procurement by leading northern manufacturers, upstream suppliers' confidence strengthened, quotes became firmer, and Pr-Nd prices stabilized accordingly. During the same period, dysprosium and terbium prices generally remained in the doldrums. Overall, rare earth market prices in June mostly fluctuated rangebound, with production volumes increasing MoM: Pr-Nd oxide rose by 1.48%, dysprosium oxide fell by 0.31%, and terbium oxide declined by 1.6%. Production volumes of both light rare earth and medium-heavy rare earth increased MoM. Entering July, the rare earth market has remained stable overall.

[SMM Rare Earth Daily Review: Downstream Purchasing as Needed, Weak Transactions in Rare Earth Market] Currently, the rare earth market continues to operate steadily. Affected by the stable prices in the oxide market, the overall market performance remains stable. However, due to the lack of improvement in end-use demand, the situation of taking orders by downstream magnetic material enterprises has not improved, leading to low expectations for future prices among magnetic material enterprises and a weak willingness to build up inventories. They mainly adopt a purchasing as needed strategy. As a result, overall market transactions are weak, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment.

[SMM Rare Earth Morning Meeting Summary: Rare Earth Upstream Quotations Remain Firm, While Downstream Transactions Are Sluggish] Guided by news-related factors, the bullish sentiment in the rare earth market has increased. Suppliers show strong reluctance to budge on prices, and there has been a slight increase in the activity of downstream inquiries. However, trading conditions have not significantly improved.