Energy Fuels Unveils $410M Utah Plant Expansion for Rare Earth Dominance

Published: Jan 28, 2026 15:32

Save

US-based Energy Fuels announced an expansion plan for its White Mesa plant in Utah, with an estimated capital expenditure of $410 million. The project is expected to increase the annual production capacity of Pr-Nd oxide from 1,000 mt to over 6,000 mt, while adding new capacities for terbium (66 mt/year), dysprosium (240 mt/year), and samarium-europium-gadolinium concentrate (750 mt/year). If monazite raw material from the Vara Mada project in Madagascar is used, the production cost of Pr-Nd oxide could be reduced to $29.4/kg, positioning the company to become one of the world's lowest-cost rare earth producers. The project is expected to receive approval in 2027 and commence production in 2029, highlighting the US’s intention to strengthen its domestic supply chain.

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

14 hours ago

Pr-Nd Oxide and Alloy Prices Surge Amid Multiple Factors

[SMM Rare Earth Flash] Affected by multiple factors, Pr-Nd oxide prices and Pr-Nd alloy prices surged sharply today. Pr-Nd oxide closed at 750,000-755,000 yuan, up 27,500 yuan/mt from the previous day, while Pr-Nd alloy closed at 900,000-920,000 yuan/mt, up 22,500 yuan/mt from the previous day. As of now, SMM had not learned of any transactions concluded at these prices and would continue to follow up on frontline market conditions.

14 hours ago

Apr 2, 2026 18:08

Rare Earth Prices Surge: Neodymium Praseodymium Oxide and Gadolinium Iron See Increased Transactions

[SMM Rare Earth Price Flash] As of now, driven by the rise in futures prices, neodymium praseodymium oxide has seen small-volume transactions by some traders at 730,000-740,000 yuan/mt. Driven by rising raw material prices, coupled with tender procurement of Pr-Nd alloy by major magnetic material plants, metal quotations were also raised to 900,000 yuan/mt, with actual transactions following up. The latest market quotation for gadolinium oxide was 230,000 yuan/mt, and quotations for gadolinium iron were also raised to 215,000-220,000 yuan/mt, driven by downstream tender procurement.

Apr 2, 2026 18:08

Apr 2, 2026 16:11

Rare Earth Prices Hold Up Well, and Market Inquiry Activity Increases [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Rare Earth Prices Hold Up Well, and Market Inquiry Activity Increases] The Pr-Nd oxide market as a whole continued to hold up well. Under the impact of expectations of tighter supply and pronounced fluctuations in futures prices, upstream suppliers kept raising their offers, while low-priced cargoes tightened rapidly, pushing Pr-Nd oxide prices up to 722,000-728,000 yuan/mt.

Apr 2, 2026 16:11