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Rare Earth Metal Prices
Live Neodymium, Dysprosium & Terbium Prices
Rare earth metals — the 17 elements comprising the lanthanide series plus scandium and yttrium — are the hidden backbone of the modern economy. Despite being misnamed (most are not geologically rare), their extraordinary magnetic, luminescent, and catalytic properties make them irreplaceable in the technologies driving the energy transition.
The most commercially important rare earths are the magnet metals: neodymium and praseodymium (used together as NdPr) form the basis of the world's strongest permanent magnets, while dysprosium and terbium are added to maintain magnet performance at high temperatures — critical for EV motors and wind turbines.
China's dominance is the defining feature of the rare earth market. China controls approximately 85% of global processing capacity, giving it effective control over the entire supply chain regardless of where mining occurs. This concentration has made rare earths a central concern for Western supply chain security, defense planning, and clean energy policy — with the US, EU, Canada, and Australia all designating rare earths as critical minerals and investing heavily in supply diversification.
Current Rare Earth Metal Prices
| Metal | Symbol | Price (USD) | Unit | 24h Change | YTD | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neodymium | Nd | $62,000 | metric ton | -0.5% | -8.3% | EV motors |
| Dysprosium | Dy | $280,000 | metric ton | +0% | +3.2% | High-performance magnets |
| Terbium | Tb | $820,000 | metric ton | -1% | -5.1% | Solid-state devices |
Prices are indicative and updated regularly. Rare earth prices are not exchange-traded; values reflect spot market assessments from industry sources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are rare earth metals?
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals comprising the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Despite the name, most are not geologically rare — they are found in the Earth's crust in moderate concentrations. What makes them "rare" is that they rarely occur in economically concentrated deposits and are extremely difficult to separate from each other due to their nearly identical chemical properties.
Why are rare earth metals important?
Rare earths are essential for the most powerful permanent magnets ever created (neodymium magnets), which power EV motors, wind turbines, computer hard drives, speakers, and countless industrial applications. They are also critical for defense systems (guided missiles, radar, sonar), lighting (LEDs, fluorescent lamps), catalysts for petroleum refining, and medical imaging equipment. There are currently no viable substitutes for many rare earth applications.
Where are rare earth metals mined?
China dominates global rare earth mining with approximately 60% of world production, primarily from the Bayan Obo deposit in Inner Mongolia and from ion-adsorption clay deposits in southern China (which are particularly rich in heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium). Other significant producers include the United States (MP Materials' Mountain Pass, CA), Australia (Lynas Rare Earths), Myanmar, Russia, and India. Deposits also exist in Greenland, Canada, and Africa.
How does China control rare earths?
China's rare earth dominance extends beyond mining to processing and manufacturing. While China mines ~60% of global rare earths, it processes approximately 85-90% of world supply — including ore shipped from non-Chinese mines. China controls the chemical separation processes, rare earth oxide production, metal alloy manufacturing, and magnet fabrication. This end-to-end control gives China extraordinary geopolitical leverage, demonstrated by export restrictions imposed on Japan in 2010 and threatened against Western nations in recent trade disputes.
Are rare earth metals actually rare?
No — the name is misleading. Cerium, the most abundant rare earth, is more common in Earth's crust than copper. Even the least abundant rare earths (thulium, lutetium) are more common than gold or platinum. The challenge is concentration and separation: rare earths are dispersed through the crust rather than forming concentrated ore bodies, and separating individual elements from mixed rare earth mineral deposits requires complex, expensive, and environmentally demanding chemical processing.