News
- Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus[SMM Analysis]
[SMM Analysis:Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus] According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to February 2026, China’s imports of mixed rare earth carbonate were about 3,013.7 mt, up 321% YoY. Over the same period, imports of unlisted rare earth oxides were about 12,860.4 mt, also posting a sharp increase of 209% YoY.
Mar 24, 2026 10:24 - American Rare Earths Selected to Supply US DOE's METALLIC Consortium with Wyoming Project Minerals
American Rare Earths announced that it has been selected to supply raw material to the US Department of Energy (DOE)'s "Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility" (METALLIC) consortium. The Halleck Creek rare earth project in Wyoming, held by its subsidiary Wyoming Rare, is currently at an advanced exploration stage, with the Phase 1 Cowboy State mine having a 20-year mine life. The latest resource estimate shows that, at a cut-off grade of 1,000 ppm, total rare earth oxides amount to 547.5 million mt, while 18 channel samples collected in 2025 averaged a grade of 5,471 ppm, with the highest reaching 13,816 ppm. The project has an after-tax net present value of $558 million and an internal rate of return of approximately 24.
Mar 20, 2026 16:41 - In the Market, Although Rare Earth Prices Outside China Fell, Premiums Remained Significant; Industrially, Lynas Aggressively Expanded Into Medium-Heavy Rare Earth [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review Outside China]
This week, the rare earth market outside China showed a divergent pattern of “cerium up, the rest down.” Driven by price increases in China and rising ocean freight rates, cerium oxide FOB and CIF prices rose by $55/mt and $60/mt, respectively, while FOB offers for mainstream magnetic material raw materials such as praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium were generally lowered by $3-19.5/kg due to lower prices in China and tight supply caused by export controls. Although limited trading volumes supported premiums in markets outside China, expectations of an industrial slowdown in Europe triggered by the Middle East situation may suppress subsequent demand. On industry developments, Lynas’ Malaysia plant started samarium oxide production ahead of schedule, consolidating its position as the only commercial heavy rare earth separator outside China and advancing its 2030 strategy. In Australia, Terrain discovered high-grade magnetic rare earth ore intervals during drilling at its Western Australia project, highlighting significant resource potential.
Mar 20, 2026 18:10 - [SMM Analysis] March Pr-Nd Drop Likely Due to Weak Demand Outlook: 2026 Demand Model (Part 1)
SMM News: As of March 20, 2026, the market price for Praseodymium-Neodymium (Pr-Nd) metal in China stabilized temporarily at 890,000–910,000 RMB/ton. This article utilizes the SMM Pr-Nd Terminal Demand Calculation Model to dissect the demand logic for 2026 across three core sectors—New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and Wind Power—explaining the current supply-demand dilemma facing the NdFeB magnet and broader Pr-Nd markets.
Mar 23, 2026 08:45 - 【SMM Analysis】Pr-Nd Alloy Hits 2-Year Profit High as Raw Material Costs Decline
【SMM Analysis】As of this week, the weekly net profit of Pr-Nd alloy reached 36,812.4 yuan, with a net margin of 4.1%. Compared with last week, net profit increased 134%, setting a new profit high for the past nearly two years. The main reasons behind this were the decline in raw material costs and relatively high metal quotes.
Mar 20, 2026 19:10 - China's Bismuth Trioxide Exports Increased Significantly in January [SMM Data]
According to customs data, China’s exports of bismuth trioxide in January 2026 were 677.56 mt, versus 570.97 mt in December 2025, showing a clear MoM increase. Market participants said that, judging from the overall changes in exports, China’s bismuth oxide exports had trended upward in almost every month since September 2025, indicating that bismuth oxide enterprises still maintained strong export momentum and that demand outside China was also increasing significantly.
Mar 20, 2026 13:05
Announcements
SMM launches graded price points for hafnium oxide and crystal hafnium to enhance pricing reference for the hafnium industry.
PriceMar 9, 2026 14:03Dear User, Hello! To comprehensively cover price information across all segments of the rare earth industry chain and assist upstream and downstream enterprises in monitoring market fluctuations and mitigating transaction risks, we have conducted extensive market surveys and industry consultations. It has been decided to introduce six new price points related to the rare earth industry chain, including lanthanum metal, praseodymium metal, and praseodymium oxide. The newly added price points are as follows: Praseodymium Oxide FOB： Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 5239-2015, Content ≥99.0–99.9%, Unit: $/kg Terbium Oxide FOB： Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 12144-2009, Content ≥99.95–99.99%, Unit $/kg The above two prices for rare earth oxides are inclusive of VAT, with the port of departure being any port within China. Lanthanum Metal FOB： Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 15677-2023, Content ≥99.0%, Unit: $/kg Praseodymium Metal FOB： Compliant with industry standard GB/T 19395-2013, content ≥96.0-99.0%, unit $/kg Terbium Metal FOB： Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 20893-2007, Content ≥99.9%, Unit: $/kg Yttrium Metal FOB： Complies with Industry Standard XB/T 218-2016, Content ≥99.9–99.95%, Unit: $/kg The price point of this rare earth metal includes VAT, and the port of departure is any port within China. Effective Date: The aforementioned new price points will be officially released starting January 28, 2026, and will be updated every Wednesday before 12:00 PM. The purpose of this addition is to achieve more refined regional and grade classifications. All newly added price points are based on mainstream industry trading specifications and trade conditions, formed through screening and verification via standard price collection processes. They are provided for market reference only and do not constitute trading decision recommendations. For details on the price formation methodology and specific product specifications, please log in to the official platform. If you have any questions, feel free to contact SMM Rare Earth Analyst Shi Xin at 021-51666815. SMM Rare Earth Industry Research Team January 27, 2026
PriceJan 27, 2026 13:58Dear User, Greetings! In recent years, the development of the secondary zinc industry has attracted significant attention however, the domestic supply of secondary zinc oxide has become increasingly tight. In contrast, Southeast Asia boasts abundant resources of secondary zinc oxide raw materials at relatively low prices, which has prompted many Chinese enterprises to establish production facilities in the region, with a considerable number choosing Vietnam. Meanwhile, amid growing uncertainties in international trade, an increasing number of companies are relocating their plants to Vietnam to achieve integrated procurement, production, and sales, gradually forming a market trend. To keep pace with the globalization of international trade and the market development of secondary zinc oxide both domestically and overseas, and to reflect the true price fluctuations of secondary zinc oxide in the global market, SMM plans to launch the CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable . The SMM CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable is an indicative price formed and published by SMM according to this methodology, which can be used by trading parties as a reference for settling secondary zinc oxide trades from Vietnam. This price reflects the mainstream price of the CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable for each month. The price will be officially launched on November 28, 2025, and historical prices can be viewed simultaneously on the SMM website (smm.cn). The price will be published by 18:00 on the last working day of each month. Price Definition: The mainstream transaction price of CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable in actual trades during the month. Going forward, SMM will continue to monitor changes in the zinc industry chain market, optimize SMM prices, and better serve the industry! For any inquiries regarding the price, please contact Zinc Analyst Hua Lin at 021-20707885 hualin@smm.cn. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Zinc Research Team November 21, 2025
PriceNov 21, 2025 18:11