Overview
- Phoenix Tailings received a $500 million Pentagon loan and says a new separation and metallization plant will take about 14 to 18 months to build to expand U.S. refining capacity.
- The company currently makes roughly 200 kilograms of final rare‑earth metal a year, expects about five tonnes within months, and targets roughly 120 tonnes by next year or 2028.
- European chemical firm Solvay has restarted separation at La Rochelle and begun processing heavier rare earths such as samarium, dysprosium and terbium to provide non‑Chinese supply.
- Many critical minerals remain highly dependent on China, with tungsten flagged as particularly at risk ahead of the Pentagon’s Jan. 1, 2027 sourcing cutoff and limited waiver authority.
- Policymakers are using recycling, tailings extraction and allied suppliers as near‑term stopgaps, but experts warn replenishing interceptor and missile stocks could take about three years and will keep near‑term pressure on defense production.