The US continues to step up its efforts to reduce its reliance on China for rare earth elements, as landmark deals and new federal support signal a decisive shift toward building domestic supply chains for critical minerals.

Rare earth magnets are essential to modern technologies, powering everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets and wind turbines.

With China controlling the vast majority of global supply, US officials and companies are moving to secure a stable domestic source to avoid future disruptions and reduce strategic vulnerability.

In a major development this week, the Pentagon finalized a multibillion-dollar equity deal with MP Materials (NYSE:MP), becoming the largest shareholder in the only major US producer of rare earth elements.

At the same time, the White House signaled its intent to expand price support mechanisms that guarantee minimum prices for US rare earth producers.

This follows recent private meetings between White House officials and top tech and recycling firms to coordinate magnet manufacturing and support broader supply chain development.

Several emerging companies also reported progress this week in line with the broader strategy to build a self-sufficient US rare earths industry.

American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQB:ARRNF) advanced its Halleck Creek project in Wyoming with promising assay results that could support future resource expansion. The company completed 106 channel samples, with standout results including 1.37% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) from hole CSM-08.

American Resources Corp (NASDAQ:AREC) and its subsidiary ReElement Technologies signed an agreement to explore a critical mineral refinery in American Samoa, focused on processing deep-sea nodules.

Royalty Management Holding Corp (NASDAQ:RMCO) announced that it has identified rare earths within a previously known iron ore, titanium, and vanadium deposit in Jamaica, which it believes could become a low-cost source of titanium, vanadium, and magnetite.

Meanwhile, M2i Global (OTC:MTWO) entered a merger with Volato Group that will provide access to public markets and capital for critical minerals infrastructure.

Here’s a look at other rare earth news from this week:

31 Jul 2025

American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQB:ARRNF) has reported significant progress at its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming during the June 2025 quarter, highlighted by high-grade results from Phase 1 sampling at its Cowboy State Mine (CSM) and key developments in permitting and corporate activities.

The company completed 106 channel samples at CSM, with standout results including 1.37% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) from drillhole CSM-08. The average grade across all samples was 3,661 ppm TREO, with high magnet rare earth oxides (MREO) and heavy rare earth oxides (HREO) levels reported. These results confirm the potential for further resource expansion at CSM as the company works towards an updated resource model.

Evion Group NL (ASX:EVG, OTC:EVIGF) received European Union (EU) recognition of its Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar as a Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act in the June quarter, reinforcing its importance as a future supplier of critical minerals to the EU.

The quarter also saw the company’s 50/50 joint venture, Panthera Graphite Technologies, lock in a maiden US shipment agreement worth approximately A$400,000.

Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) highlighted major progress across its integrated rare earths supply chain strategy in quarterly results released on Thursday, advancing magnet recycling, refining and project development in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil and Uganda.

The company’s activities were underpinned by a A$3 million capital raise and supported by growing geopolitical urgency to secure ex-China supplies of magnet and heavy rare earths — particularly following China’s April restrictions on exports of key elements such as dysprosium and terbium.

Royalty Management Holding Corp (NASDAQ:RMCO) said on Wednesday it had identified valuable rare earth elements within its TR Mining &amp; Equipment portfolio company’s exclusive prospecting lease in Jamaica, expanding the resource potential of the 213 million-ton raw feedstock deposit.

Initial assessments of the site had focused on iron ore, titanium, and vanadium. However, a recent expanded sampling program revealed the presence of rare earth elements used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense technologies, and high-performance electronics, the company said.

American Resources Corp (NASDAQ:AREC) and its subsidiary ReElement Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) to explore the development of a critical mineral refinery in the U.S. territory, the company said on Wednesday.

The project would focus on processing deep sea nodules found in the waters around American Samoa, targeting key materials such as copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements.

Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) subsidiary Ionic Technologies is accelerating production of two critical heavy rare earths — dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3) and terbium oxide (Tb₄O₇) — at its Belfast plant in response to urgent supply requests from major customers across the US, Europe, and Asia.

The strategic move, announced on Wednesday, comes as the global shortage of these essential materials, used in the manufacture of high-performance neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, intensifies amid China's export restrictions, with Chinese exports now at historically low levels.

M2i Global (OTC:MTWO), a developer of global critical minerals infrastructure, will merge with aviation technology firm Volato Group Inc. (NYSE American:SOAR) in a deal that will give M2i access to a NYSE American listing and expand Volato into the fast-growing minerals supply chain sector.

Under the definitive agreement, Volato will acquire all outstanding shares of M2i Global in a stock-based transaction.

Evion Group NL (ASX:EVG, OTC:EVIGF) has become the only African graphite project listed under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) after its flagship Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar was formally listed as a Strategic Project under the legislation. This major endorsement from the European Union sees Maniry become the only African graphite project among just 13 non-EU ventures recognised by the European Commission. This milestone enhances the project's profile in the EU’s efforts to secure sustainable supplies of key materials needed for energy transition technologies.

Evion managing director David Round said the endorsement validates Maniry’s potential to become a long-term supplier of world-class graphite and downstream materials. The company is now advancing talks with the EU Advisory team on grant funding and introductions to major energy and EV manufacturers.

Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) has advanced to the next stage of assessment for a R$5 billion (~US$900 million/~A$1.37 billion) funding package from the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and Federal Agency for Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP) in Brazil. The company’s 50/50 joint venture with Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX:VMM), Viridion, has been selected to progress with a Joint Support Plan. The funding is expected to include grants, debt and equity and will support rare earth refining and magnet recycling in Brazil.

“ This is very welcome news for our Viridion joint venture in Brazil, which continues to pick up speed thanks to the strong support from our joint venture partner and the Brazilian authorities,” IonicRE managing director Tim Harrison said.

Rare earths supply chain builds momentum with federal backing, project milestones

The U.S. is accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on China for rare earth elements through federal support, landmark deals, and new projects. The Pentagon finalized a multibillion-dollar equity deal with MP Materials, becoming its largest shareholder. Companies like American Rare Earths Ltd, American Resources Corp, and Royalty Management Holding Corp are advancing projects in Wyoming, American Samoa, Jamaica, and Brazil. The EU recognized Evion Group's graphite project as strategic, and Ionic Rare Earths secured funding for rare earth refining in Brazil. A merger between M2i Global and Volato Group expands access to critical minerals infrastructure.