Rare earths
Overview
Rare earths or rare earth elements (REE) are crucial to modern society, driving innovation across automotives, electronics, renewable energy, healthcare, defence and aerospace, and as a catalyst in industrial and chemical processing.
As demand for highly engineered products continues to grow, manufacturers that rely on rare earths face a limited supply of marketable product outside a handful of Chinese producers.
Argus Rare Earths Analytics and Argus Non-Ferrous Markets address this unique challenge in the rare earths industry by delivering price data and forecasts through on-the-ground expertise and a proven methodology that supports long-term outlooks as well as supply and demand fundamentals.
Rare earths coverage
Argus produces more than 70 price assessments for the 17 rare earth elements, as well as delivering best-in-class data, news and analysis to support your decision making. In addition, the Argus Rare Earths Analytics service also provides market analysis and 10-year forecasts for supply, demand, prices and projects across key rare earths:
- Cerium prices
- Dysprosium prices
- Erbium prices
- Europium prices
- Gadolinium prices
- Lanthanum prices
- Mischmetal prices
- Neodymium prices
- Praseodymium prices
- Praseodymium-neodymium prices
- Samarium prices
- Terbium prices
- Yttrium prices
Latest rare earth news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global rare earth industry.
Indonesian ministry proposes new nickel royalty rates
Indonesian ministry proposes new nickel royalty rates
Singapore, 10 March (Argus) — Indonesia's ministry of energy and mineral resources (ESDM) on 8 March proposed to change the non-tax state revenue or Pendapatan Negara Bukan Pajak (PNBP) for various nickel products. But other details are yet to be confirmed. The ESDM suggested revising the PNBP royalty rate for nickel ore from a fixed 10pc to a range of 14-19pc, depending on the Harga Mineral Acuan (HMA) nickel price , which is the reference price for nickel ore. The ESDM also proposed revising the PNBP royalty rates for ferronickel and nickel pig iron (NPI) to a range of 5-7pc depending on the HMA, from a fixed rate of 2pc and 5pc, respectively. Nickel matte's windfall profit has also been removed under the new proposal, with the fixed 2-3pc royalty rate to be revised to 4.5-6.5pc depending on the HMA. The market continues to closely monitor the developments of Indonesia's nickel regulations, following the modification to the HMA price, an extension to the holding period of export earnings onshore and a potential RKAB work plan curtailment . Royalty rates % HMA nickel ($/t) Proposed changes (%) Nickel ore < 18,000 14.0 18,000 < 21,000 15.0 21,000 < 24,000 16.0 24,000 < 31,000 18.0 ≥ 31,000 19.0 Ferronickel and NPI < 18,000 5.0 18,000 < 21,000 5.5 21,000 < 24,000 6.0 24,000 < 31,000 6.5 ≥ 31,000 7.0 Nickel matte < 18,000 4.5 18,000 < 21,000 5.0 21,000 < 24,000 5.5 24,000 < 31,000 6.0 ≥ 31,000 6.5 ESDM Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Rio Tinto completes Arcadium Lithium takeover
Rio Tinto completes Arcadium Lithium takeover
London, 6 March (Argus) — Global mining giant Rio Tinto has today completed its $6.7bn buyout of global chemicals producer Arcadium Lithium, soon to be renamed Rio Tinto Lithium. Rio confirmed that it would buy Arcadium in October 2024 , the seventh-largest lithium producer in the world by market capitalisation as of January 2024. Rio Tinto aims to bring its lithium assets to about 200,000 t/yr of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2028. In 2024, Arcadium sold 42,300t of lithium salts, including lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, along with 140,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate. The company posted net income of $131.7mn in 2024, down from $330.1mn in 2023. The firm had to suspend some operations at its Mount Cattlin mine in Western Australia while also delaying its expansions . Arcadium will place its Mount Cattlin mine into care and maintenance by the middle of the year, after suspending it in September on low prices, potentially placing upward pressure on prices. The top three lithium mining companies accounted for around 54pc of global production in 2023, a higher portion than the 15pc for nickel and 47pc for cobalt, according to the IEA. Market participants told Argus earlier this year that lithium prices are unlikely to recover until the second half of 2026 on high inventories and a glut of supply set to come on line (see graph) . "Arcadium and the predecessor companies failed to advance a world class suite of assets on a timely basis," Global Lithium Podcast host Joe Lowry told Argus . "Hopefully that will change being part of a large company with a significant balance sheet." By Chris Welch Lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Lundin to option Talon's Cu, Ni US exploration site
Lundin to option Talon's Cu, Ni US exploration site
London, 6 March (Argus) — Canada-based firm Lundin Mining has agreed to negotiate an earn-in deal with US-based mining company Talon Metals for the right to buy a majority stake in Talon's Boulderdash exploration site in Michigan, US. Lundin Mining could buy a 70pc stake in the Boulderdash site, which is next to Lundin's Eagle nickel and copper mine. Nickel and copper was first found at the exploration site in October last year. Recent drilling found copper and nickel deposits with grades of 2.95pc and 2.33pc, respectively. Along with signing the agreement, Lundin has given Talon a $5mn advance to start further drilling at Boulderdash. Lundin plans to fund up to 30,000m of drilling at Boulderdash for a 44.625pc stake. The drilling will be done in 10,000m phases. After completing the 30,000m, Lundin Mining would fund a feasibility study for an additional 25.375pc stake, which would give Lundin 70pc ownership. And Lundin will have the option to have 90pc ownership in nearby properties. If the two firms do not complete an agreement, Talon will either repay the $5mn advance or issue shares to Lundin. The Eagle mine and the adjacent Boulderdash site are linked by road to the Humboldt processing mill. The Eagle mine is forecast to produce 8,000-11,000t each of nickel and copper this year, according to Lundin's production guidance. By Ellanee Kruck Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Japan’s domestic EV sales drop further in February
Japan’s domestic EV sales drop further in February
Tokyo, 6 March (Argus) — Japanese domestic sales of passenger electric vehicle (EVs) fell on the year for a 16th consecutive month in February, mostly because of lower demand for domestic brand EVs. Sales totalled 4,390 units in February, fell by 20pc from a year earlier, according to data from three industry groups — the Automobile Dealers Association, the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association and the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA). Sales were also down by 3.8pc on the month. EVs accounted for 1.2pc of the country's total passenger car sales in February, down by 0.7 percentage points from a year earlier. The fall in EV sales is mostly attributed to weaker demand for domestic brand EVs. Sales of Nissan's Sakura, the country's top selling EV model, fell by 33pc on the year to 1,760 units. Demand for foreign brand EVs remained firm in February, according to JAIA's representative who spoke to Argus . Sales of foreign brand passenger EVs rose to 1,829 units, up by 11pc from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Imported EVs accounted for around 42pc of Japan's total domestic EV sales, up by 12 percentage points from a year earlier. Chinese manufacturer BYD resumed normal shipments in Japan after a partial delivery suspension in January , according to JAIA. By Yusuke Maekawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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Global Rare Earths market outlook
Video - 16/01/25Quarterly rare earths market update – January 2025
Gain insight into the rare earths market with our January quarterly update, covering key price movements and the latest developments.
Video - 21/10/24Quarterly rare earths market update October 2024
Gain insight into the rare earths market with our October quarterly update, covering key price movements, near-term expectations, and dominating headlines.
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