US Advances Domestic Rare‑Earth Magnet Supply Chain to Counter China

The United States is moving to end China’s monopoly over rare‑earth magnets, a critical component for military, automotive and renewable‑energy technologies. Florida‑based REalloys signed a strategic agreement with South Korean magnet maker JS Link to create the first fully integrated, non‑Chinese rare‑earth magnet production line in North America, covering feedstock, separation, metallization and permanent‑magnet manufacturing. REalloys CEO Lipi Sternheim said, “In rare earths, strategic advantage belongs to the country that builds the magnets.” The partnership follows a recent selection of REalloys by the U.S. Army to develop rare‑earth processing facilities at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah.

Separately, Energy Fuels is expanding its White Mesa Mill in Utah to produce both light and heavy rare‑earth oxides, including terbium and dysprosium, by 2027‑28. The project is designed to feed a mine‑to‑magnet supply chain that will draw monazite concentrate from the Donald Project in Australia, convert the oxides in South Korea through Australian Strategic Materials, and supply Vacuumschmelze’s magnet plant in South Carolina. CEO Ross Bhappu said the expansion will give Western manufacturers a domestic source of the heavy rare‑earth elements needed for high‑performance magnets.