Civil unrest and natural disasters in Myanmar are threatening price volatility in the heavy rare earth oxide (HREO) market, according to analysis by Benchmark. The current oversupply has meant the disruption has had a limited impact on prices. However, continued delays to operations could deplete stockpiles and lead to sustained price increases. “Dysprosium (Dy) and […]
> China’s dominance over global rare earths mining and refining comes with severe environmental and ecological costs, the Benchmark Rare Earths Global Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) shows. In 2025, Chinese producers are set to account for 71% and 90% of the global mined and refined rare earths supplies, respectively, according to Benchmark’s Rare Earths Forecast. Bayan […]
> Ex-China prices of heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) are significantly higher than those in the domestic Chinese market following China’s export restrictions. What is driving this bifurcation? The European market remains highly constrained for the HREOs currently subject to China’s export restrictions. Spot market activity is sporadic, with buyers only accepting offers when absolutely necessary […]
> In the third quarter of 2025, 18 of the largest 25 copper miners reported quarter-on-quarter decreases in their output, including the top four miners. The total Q3 copper production reported by the top 25 miners hit 3.72Mt. “In the third quarter, many companies saw lower production compared to the previous quarter. However, most did not […]
> Global mined rare earth supply in 2024 was six times higher than in 1994, according to an analysis by Benchmark’s Rare Earths Forecast and the United States Geological Survey. Back then, China and the US constituted the majority of supply. However, repeated spills of toxic wastewater into the Mojave National Preserve from the Mountain Pass […]
> Europe’s cathode active material supply is set to increase 360% between 2025 and 2030, supported by a growing number of facilities owned by non-European companies. Despite this growth, Benchmark forecasts that European CAM supply will remain lower than the region’s cell production, meaning gigafactories will depend on imports. Europe’s cathode scene today The key European […]
> Supply will be key to understanding the rare earths market in 2024 when global production is set to increase amidst persistent low demand. Rare earths demand is primarily driven by their use in high-strength rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) found inside wind turbines, electric vehicle (EV) motors, and certain defence technologies. “The outlook for 2024 […]
> Western rare earths companies across the value chain are reevaluating corporate strategy amidst prolonged price declines. Over the last 12 months, ex-China companies have mulled options including mergers, sales, and capital restructuring as a two year-long slide in prices for light rare earth ores and oxides makes medium-term growth uncertain. Neodymium-Praseodymium (PrNd) oxide was at […]
> Lithium chemical prices spiked in China on Monday following a bullish speech by the chairman of Ganfeng – the world’s third-largest lithium producer – in which it was suggested that lithium demand growth could reach 30% in 2026. In a keynote speech on 16 November at the 10th International Summit on Power Battery Application in […]