China’s grip on rare earth elements is slipping. Investors should take note.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 01 2024
0mins
Should l Buy MP?
Source: MarketWatch
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Analyst Views on MP
Wall Street analysts forecast MP stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 53.290
Low
55.27
Averages
76.13
High
94.00
Current: 53.290
Low
55.27
Averages
76.13
High
94.00
About MP
MP Materials Corp. produces specialty materials that are vital inputs for electrification and other advanced technologies. The Company owns and operates the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (Mountain Pass) located in California. It is also developing a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (Independence Facility). The Company’s segments include Materials and Magnetics. The Materials segment operates Mountain Pass, which produces refined rare earth products as well as rare earth concentrate and related products. The Materials segment primarily generates revenue from sales of rare earth concentrate, primarily sold for further distribution to a single, principal customer in China, and sales of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide and metal, primarily sold to customers in Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia. The Magnetics segment operates the Independence Facility, where it produces magnetic precursor products.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Large-Scale Investment: MP Materials has announced a $1.25 billion investment to build a magnet manufacturing campus in Texas, expected to create 1,500 new jobs by 2028, significantly boosting the local economy.
- Capacity Expansion: The new '10X Facility' will increase MP Materials' annual production capacity of NdFeB magnets to approximately 10,000 metric tons, addressing the rising demand in sectors like electric vehicles and drones.
- Government Support Assurance: The project benefits from a long-term agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense, guaranteeing that 100% of the NdFeB magnets produced will be purchased in the first ten years, thereby reducing market risk and enhancing investment appeal.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With the sharp increase in demand for rare-earth metals and NdFeB magnets, MP Materials' strategic positioning in domestic production is likely to provide a competitive edge in the future market, making it a focal point for investors.
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- Federal Loan Context: Vulcan Elements, backed by Trump Jr.'s 1789 Capital, received a $620 million federal loan from the Department of Defense last year, highlighting the close ties between the Trump family and government contracts.
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- Acquisition of Uranium Project: EagleOne Metals Corporation has signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire the Poison Springs Uranium/Rare Earths Project in Utah for $50,000, covering 206.6 acres and previously showing mineralized intercepts across uranium, copper, and silver, indicating significant mineral potential in the region.
- Improved Market Conditions: With uranium prices nearing $92 per pound and the IEA projecting a 30% copper supply shortfall by 2035, EagleOne is well-positioned in the critical minerals investment landscape, especially as the U.S. government commits over $30 billion to secure supply chains.
- Diversified Mineral Portfolio: EagleOne also owns the Hébécourt Township property in Quebec, historically yielding over 200 million ounces of gold, and has a non-binding LOI with Surupampa Metals for a copper-gold asset in Peru, showcasing its strategic positioning across multiple countries and commodities.
- Financing and Market Capitalization: The company is pursuing a C$240,000 financing round, with a current market capitalization of approximately C$5 million, indicating that the market has yet to fully price in its potential value amid the structural deficits in uranium, copper, and rare earths, suggesting significant future growth opportunities.
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- Acquisition of Uranium Project: EagleOne Metals Corporation has signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire the Poison Springs Uranium/Rare Earth Project in Utah for $50,000, covering 206.6 acres with historical drilling indicating mineralized intercepts across uranium, copper, silver, and other commodities, highlighting significant mineral potential in the region.
- Changing Market Dynamics: With uranium prices nearing $92 per pound and the IEA projecting a 30% copper supply shortfall by 2035, EagleOne is well-positioned in the critical minerals investment landscape, especially as the U.S. government has committed over $30 billion to secure supply chains for these essential resources.
- Diversified Mineral Portfolio: EagleOne's 100%-owned Hébécourt Township property in Quebec has historically produced over 200 million ounces of gold, and the adjacent Magusi West project has revealed gold anomalies up to 0.156 ppm, indicating strong potential across multiple mineral sectors.
- Financing and Market Positioning: EagleOne is pursuing a C$240,000 financing round with a market capitalization of approximately C$5 million, strategically positioned at a pivotal moment in critical minerals investment, as the market has yet to fully recognize the value of its diversified mineral portfolio.
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- National Security Role: MP Materials was highlighted in CBS's '60 Minutes' as a pivotal player in U.S. national security, with CEO James Litinsky emphasizing the unacceptable reliance on China, which produces over 90% of the world's rare earth magnets.
- Purity Milestone: The Mountain Pass mine achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by refining neodymium and praseodymium to 99.9% purity, enhancing the company's technical capabilities and laying the groundwork for U.S. independence in the rare earth supply chain.
- Government Investment Support: The Trump administration agreed to inject $400 million into MP Materials last year, guaranteeing a minimum price of $110/kg for rare earth oxides over ten years, providing robust financial stability for the company.
- Production Expansion Plans: To meet the government's demand for a tenfold increase in rare earth magnet production, Litinsky is constructing a larger magnet factory in Texas, which is expected to fulfill the country's critical rare earth magnet needs and further solidify the company's market position.
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