USAR to Acquire UK's LCM for $125 Mn, Boosting Rare Earth Integration

Published: Sep 30, 2025 16:41

Save

[SMM News: USAR Acquires UK Rare Earth Producer LCM] Ohio-based US Rare Earth (USAR) has reached an agreement to acquire UK rare earth metals and alloys producer Less Common Metals (LCM) in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $125 million, accelerating its integrated strategy from mine to magnet.

According to the two companies, LCM is the only enterprise outside China capable of large-scale production of light and heavy rare earth permanent magnet metals and cast alloys. Its plant in Cheshire, UK, primarily produces rare earth products such as samarium, samarium cobalt, neodymium praseodymium, terbium, yttrium, and gadolinium. USAR stated that it plans to expand LCM's production scale in the UK and integrate the rare earth metal production capacity of its plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, thereby providing strong support for the construction of a magnet plant with an annual capacity of 5,000 mt. The two companies also revealed that LCM has a solid network of customer relationships, with a client base covering defense, automotive manufacturers, and top magnet producers in the US and Europe. Through this acquisition, USAR has achieved closed-loop integration, extending its business scope from rare earth deposit mining in Texas to metal alloy production and recycling of rare earth oxides.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

Mar 5, 2026 15:35

Lindian Resources Acquires 51% Stake in Kazakhstan Rare Earth Processing Plant

According to foreign media reports, ASX-listed Lindian Resources signed a binding agreement to acquire a 51% equity stake in the Sareco Mixed Rare Earth Carbonatite (MREC) processing plant in Kazakhstan. The plant was previously operated by a joint venture between Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Kazakhstan’s national atomic energy company, Kazatomprom, and will now be jointly operated by Lindian (51%) and its domestic joint-venture partner, the RA Group (49%). The acquisition will upgrade Lindian’s business from rare earth concentrate production to higher-value MREC production, significantly improving its economic returns.

Mar 5, 2026 15:35

Mar 5, 2026 14:58

Rare Earth Prices Pulled Back, with Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment Downstream [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Rare Earth Prices Pulled Back, Strong Wait-and-See Sentiment Downstream] Affected by news-related factors, the Pr-Nd oxide market saw heightened wait-and-see sentiment among downstream metal plants, and some traders proactively cut prices to boost shipments. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices had pulled back to 845,000-850,000 yuan/mt.

Mar 5, 2026 14:58

Mar 5, 2026 09:16

Japan and India in Talks to Explore Rare Earth Minerals in Rajasthan, Tech Support Expected

Japan is currently in talks with India on jointly exploring rare earth mineral deposits in Rajasthan. The Japanese government intends to dispatch experts to the site and is expected to provide mining technology support to Rajasthan.

Mar 5, 2026 09:16