USA Rare Earth Accelerates West Texas Project, Eyes 2028 Production Start

Published: Dec 12, 2025 12:01

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[SMM Flash: West Texas Rare Earth Mine Plans Early Start] USA Rare Earth currently expects its heavy rare earth project in West Texas to commence production by the end of 2028, ahead of the initially planned 2030. The company holds mining rights for the Round Top Mountain deposit in western Texas, which allows extraction of rare earth elements, as well as other critical minerals such as gallium and lithium. USA Rare Earth's "mine-to-magnet" strategy encompasses multiple aspects: a magnet manufacturing plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with an annual capacity of 5,000 metric tons; and a processing and separation laboratory in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The company revealed on Wednesday that the acceleration of the Round Top project's development is due to the expectation that its Colorado facility will begin operations in early 2026. According to the plan, the company is expected to complete the final feasibility study in early 2027 and achieve early commercial production at the Round Top project by the end of 2028.

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