[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Rare Earth Prices Fluctuated, Upstream and Downstream Remained in Stalemate] Affected by futures price fluctuations combined with periodic restocking by some major producers, Pr-Nd oxide prices fluctuated relatively frequently. Upstream and downstream continued to remain in a stalemate, with suppliers maintaining relatively firm offers overall, while downstream metal producers maintained a strong wait-and-see sentiment. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices fluctuated downward to 682,000-688,000 yuan/mt.

The ex-China rare earth market this week exhibited a trend of "falling prices amid tight supply," with Pr-Nd oxide and metal prices generally marked down by approximately $5-10/kg. However, due to export controls and tightening supply, the premium on Chinese products outside China remained significant. Meanwhile, geopolitical rivalry and supply chain restructuring accelerated, with G7 finance ministers calling for urgent reduction of dependence on China and the establishment of recycling quota systems. On the capital front, Greenland Resources spent $35 million to acquire the high-grade Sarfartoq project to strengthen its magnetic material rare earth portfolio. Australia's Arafura officially finalised the final investment decision for the Nolans project. Combined with Brazil's launch of an antitrust investigation and Germany's Heraeus divesting its recycling business, these developments underscored the urgency of global decoupling and localization efforts.

[SMM Rare Earth News Flash] Australia's Arafura announced a final investment decision on the Nolan rare earth project, which has an annual output of 4,440 mt of Pr-Nd oxide. Construction, spanning 30 months, will commence in September, with commissioning expected in early to mid-2029. The project will also produce 470 mt per year of mixed medium-heavy rare earth oxides. Following Australian export finance support for 500 mt/year of Pr-Nd oxide, offtake agreements covered over 80% of capacity. The project has a mine life of 38 years and can meet 4% of global Pr-Nd demand.

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Rare Earth Prices Continued to Decline, Stopping Falling Near Weekend] The Pr-Nd oxide market remained in the doldrums overall this week. Affected by the continuous decline in futures prices, downstream metal plants were relatively cautious in procurement, and market trading remained sluggish. However, mid-week, driven by concentrated procurement from major downstream plants, market procurement volume recovered slightly, and suppliers raised their quotes again. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices fluctuated downward to 700,000-705,000 yuan/mt.

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Overall Decline in Rare Earth Prices Driven by Futures Disruptions] The Pr-Nd oxide market was in the doldrums overall this week. Affected by price fluctuations in futures, traders made shipments at low prices. Meanwhile, the "rush to buy amid continuous price rise and hold back amid price downturn" sentiment intensified the wait-and-see sentiment among downstream metal plants, with poor purchase willingness. Market trading activity was very sluggish. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices had fluctuated downward to 745,000-750,000 yuan/mt.

[SMM Rare Earth News Flash] US rare earth producer MP Materials reported Q1 2026 results: Pr-Nd oxide production was 917 mt, up 63% YoY; sales were 1,006 mt, including the first shipment to its newest US client. During the same period, the company produced nearly 13,000 mt of rare earth oxides. The company expects the actual Pr-Nd oxide price in Q2 to be approximately $90/kg, but its public-private partnership with the US Department of National Defense will cover the gap to the $110/kg lowest price. Q1 revenue was $91 million, with losses narrowing to $8 million.

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Market Sluggish around Holiday, Rare Earth Prices in the Doldrums] The Pr-Nd oxide market saw a poor trading atmosphere recently. Downstream metal plants showed low enthusiasm in inquiries and procurement around the holiday, but upstream suppliers maintained firm offers amid tight spot cargo availability, and low-priced sources remained difficult to find. Overall, Pr-Nd oxide price fluctuations were relatively small. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices adjusted slightly downward to 762,000-768,000 yuan/mt.

SMM April 30 — Recently, the General Administration of Customs released import and export data for January-March 2026. According to the latest data, China's imports of thorium ore and concentrates from January to March 2026 totaled 17,363 mt, down 5% YoY. March imports were 3,336 mt, down 21% MoM but up 47% YoY. Currently, as China's light rare earth separation enterprises experienced significant production cuts and suspensions in Q1 this year, market demand for thorium ore and concentrates declined notably. Actual transaction prices also continued to fall, reducing ore traders' enthusiasm for imports, which in turn led to the YoY decline in actual imports of thorium ore and concentrates. According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, China's imports of unlisted rare earth oxides from January to March 2026 totaled approximately 21,607 mt, up 242% YoY. In terms of reasons, on one hand, at the beginning of last year, rare earth ore exports from Myanmar — the primary source country for unlisted rare earth oxide imports — were affected by a series of negative factors, resulting in relatively low exports of unlisted rare earth oxides during the same period last year. On the other hand, from January to March this year, changes in tax policies in Myanmar prompted some ore traders to rush imports, causing a notable increase in imports of unlisted rare earth oxides.

In April, rare earth oxide production showed a slight overall decline, with all major products seeing varying degrees of MoM reduction. Supply-side disruptions became one of the market's key focal points for the month.

[SMM Rare Earth News] EMR committed £730,000 to support the CirculaREEconomy (CREEM) project led by Ionic Technologies. The project is part of the UK's DRIVE35 initiative, aiming to build a sustainable circular supply chain for EV rare earth magnets. The new pilot production line will explore efficient extraction of NdFeB magnets from retired motors, with Ionic Technologies refining them into rare earth oxides through sustainable chemical processes to meet next-generation EV specifications. Partners include Ford, Bentley, and Wrightbus.