The Mountain Pass mine in California, operated by MP Materials, is the only active rare earth mining and processing facility in the United States. In 2024, the mine produced approximately 45,000 metric tons of rare earth oxides (REO) in concentrate, marking a record for U.S. primary production . However, the output of refined rare earth metals remains limited. In 2023, MP Materials commenced production of separated rare earth products, including 200 metric tons of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, a critical component for high-strength permanent magnets used in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced technologies .
Despite these advancements, current domestic production does not meet U.S. demand. Estimates suggest that a fully electrified U.S. automotive industry would require approximately 16,000 metric tons of NdPr annually, in addition to other sectors like defense, electronics, and renewable energy . This indicates that domestic supply falls significantly short of national needs.
To address this gap, MP Materials is progressing through a three-stage plan:
- Stage I: Production of rare earth concentrate.
- Stage II: Production of separated and refined rare earths.
- Stage III: Production of rare earth metals, alloys, and permanent magnets.
As of 2023, the company had begun producing refined rare earths, with a focus on high-purity NdPr oxide . Additionally, MP Materials is constructing a facility in Fort Worth, Texas, aiming to commence commercial magnet production by late 2025 .
In summary, while the Mountain Pass mine has significantly increased U.S. rare earth production, current refined output is insufficient to meet domestic demand. Ongoing developments in refining and magnet production are crucial steps toward reducing reliance on foreign sources, particularly China, which currently dominates the global rare earth processing industry .
