West Faces Challenges with Limited Supply of Heavy Rare Earth Elements, Reports Reuters
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 19 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NB?
Supply Chain Development: The West is striving to establish a domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets to reduce dependence on China, which is crucial for various products.
Element Scarcity: The scarcity of heavy rare earth elements, particularly dysprosium and terbium, poses a significant challenge for the West's efforts, particularly for companies like MP Materials.
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Analyst Views on NB
Wall Street analysts forecast NB stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 4.670
Low
9.50
Averages
12.25
High
15.00
Current: 4.670
Low
9.50
Averages
12.25
High
15.00
About NB
NioCorp Developments Ltd. is developing the Elk Creek Project that is expected to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium. The Company is also evaluating the potential to produce several rare earths from the Elk Creek Project. The Elk Creek Project is a shovel-ready pure-play critical minerals project with the highest-grade Niobium resource in North America and an indicated rare earth resource in the United States. The Elk Creek Project is located approximately 105 kilometers (kms) southeast of Lincoln, Nebraska (the state capital); 129 kms south of Omaha, Nebraska, and three miles west of Elk Creek, Nebraska and six miles south of Tecumseh, Nebraska.
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.
REalloys' Critical Role in the Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Domestic Processing Capability: REalloys operates a facility in Ohio that converts heavy rare earth materials into high-performance alloys, fulfilling U.S. Department of Defense contracts and ensuring that American supply chains are no longer reliant on offshore processing, thereby enhancing national security.
- Capacity Expansion Plans: The company plans to invest $21 million to boost heavy rare earth processing capacity by 300%, with expectations to produce 30 tonnes of dysprosium oxide and 15 tonnes of terbium oxide annually by 2027, further solidifying its leadership position in the North American market.
- Diversified Supply Chain Development: REalloys has established long-term supply agreements with Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Greenland, ensuring a stable supply of rare earth materials that directly support U.S. defense projects and reduce dependence on Chinese sources.
- Technological Advantage and Market Demand: REalloys' processing technology enables it to provide defense-grade metals and alloys domestically, meeting the demand for high-performance rare earth magnets and ensuring a competitive edge in future markets.
See More
REalloys' Critical Role in the Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Domestic Processing Capability: REalloys operates a facility in Ohio that converts heavy rare earth materials into high-performance alloys, fulfilling U.S. Department of Defense contracts and reducing reliance on offshore processing, thereby enhancing national security.
- Capacity Expansion Plans: The company is investing approximately $21 million to boost heavy rare earth processing capacity by 300% and increase light rare earth output by 50%, positioning itself to become the sole commercial-scale supplier of heavy rare earth metals in North America by 2027, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- Diversified Supply Chain Development: REalloys has secured letters of intent for rare earth feedstock from Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Greenland, ensuring a stable supply of materials and further solidifying its position in the U.S. defense and industrial markets.
- Technological Advantage: REalloys' processing workflow occupies a critical position in the domestic rare earth supply chain, efficiently converting rare earth oxides into alloys that meet the stringent requirements for high-performance magnets, thereby boosting U.S. competitiveness in the global rare earth market.
See More
US Reshapes Rare Earth Metal Supply Chain
- Rare Earth Transformation: REalloys is converting rare-earth oxides into metals at its Euclid, Ohio facility, receiving U.S. government funding, marking a significant advancement in North America's rare earth metal production and enhancing national security and military readiness.
- Supply Chain Autonomy: By partnering with the Saskatchewan Research Council, REalloys secures upstream supply of heavy rare earths, creating a complete supply chain from separation to metallization, reducing reliance on China and strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the defense industry.
- Strategic Investment: REalloys plans to process approximately 3,000 tonnes of NdPr metal and 245 tonnes of heavy rare earth metals over the next five years, further solidifying its position in the North American rare earth market to meet defense and advanced industrial system demands.
- Policy Support: The U.S. Department of Defense's updated procurement regulations prohibit the use of Chinese-origin rare earth materials, reflecting the government's commitment to domestic metallization capabilities, which is expected to attract more investment to support this critical sector.
See More
NioCorp Announces Pricing for Public Offering of Common Shares
- Offering Pricing: NioCorp has announced a public offering of up to 20 million common shares or pre-funded warrants at a price of $5 per share, which is expected to generate approximately $100 million in gross proceeds, indicating the company's ability to raise capital in the market.
- Clear Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this offering are intended for working capital and general corporate purposes, particularly to advance the Elk Creek critical minerals project in Southeast Nebraska toward commercial operation, highlighting the company's commitment to this strategic initiative.
- Timing of the Offering: The offering is expected to close on or about February 25, 2026, reflecting the company's strategic timing and planning for future growth.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement of the public offering, NioCorp's shares fell 6% in premarket trading, indicating a cautious market response to the financing news, which may impact investor confidence.
See More
U.S. Launches Strategic Minerals Reserve Initiative
- Strategic Minerals Reserve: The White House has launched Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative backed by a $10 billion EXIM loan aimed at establishing the first U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve in response to China's export restrictions on antimony, tungsten, and silver.
- New Silver Discoveries: Americore Resources has uncovered five historic drill holes at its Trinity Silver Project in Nevada, with Hole SC-4 returning a silver grade of 145.98 g/t, indicating that the existing 36 million-ounce silver resource estimate may be significantly understated, which could enhance the company's resource valuation.
- Drone Magnetometer Survey: Americore has completed a drone magnetometer survey covering approximately 350 line-kilometers, which will aid in understanding both the historic resource and the alteration halo surrounding the pit, providing critical data for future resource assessments.
- Historic Stockpile Evaluation: Americore is evaluating options to monetize approximately 400,000 ounces of silver in oxide material and 365,000 ounces in sulfide material from historic stockpiles, which could strengthen the company's financial position and further drive project development.
See More
NIOCORP DEVELOPMENTS RISES BY 10.2%
- Economic Growth: The NIO Corp reported a development in its economic performance, indicating a growth rate of 10.2%.
- Market Impact: This growth may influence investor confidence and market dynamics surrounding NIO Corp's future prospects.
See More
REalloys' Critical Role in the Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Domestic Processing Capability: REalloys operates a facility in Ohio that converts heavy rare earth materials into high-performance alloys, fulfilling U.S. Department of Defense contracts and ensuring that American supply chains are no longer reliant on offshore processing, thereby enhancing national security.
- Capacity Expansion Plans: The company plans to invest $21 million to boost heavy rare earth processing capacity by 300%, with expectations to produce 30 tonnes of dysprosium oxide and 15 tonnes of terbium oxide annually by 2027, further solidifying its leadership position in the North American market.
- Diversified Supply Chain Development: REalloys has established long-term supply agreements with Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Greenland, ensuring a stable supply of rare earth materials that directly support U.S. defense projects and reduce dependence on Chinese sources.
- Technological Advantage and Market Demand: REalloys' processing technology enables it to provide defense-grade metals and alloys domestically, meeting the demand for high-performance rare earth magnets and ensuring a competitive edge in future markets.
See More
REalloys' Critical Role in the Rare Earth Supply Chain
- Domestic Processing Capability: REalloys operates a facility in Ohio that converts heavy rare earth materials into high-performance alloys, fulfilling U.S. Department of Defense contracts and reducing reliance on offshore processing, thereby enhancing national security.
- Capacity Expansion Plans: The company is investing approximately $21 million to boost heavy rare earth processing capacity by 300% and increase light rare earth output by 50%, positioning itself to become the sole commercial-scale supplier of heavy rare earth metals in North America by 2027, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- Diversified Supply Chain Development: REalloys has secured letters of intent for rare earth feedstock from Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Greenland, ensuring a stable supply of materials and further solidifying its position in the U.S. defense and industrial markets.
- Technological Advantage: REalloys' processing workflow occupies a critical position in the domestic rare earth supply chain, efficiently converting rare earth oxides into alloys that meet the stringent requirements for high-performance magnets, thereby boosting U.S. competitiveness in the global rare earth market.
See More
US Reshapes Rare Earth Metal Supply Chain
- Rare Earth Transformation: REalloys is converting rare-earth oxides into metals at its Euclid, Ohio facility, receiving U.S. government funding, marking a significant advancement in North America's rare earth metal production and enhancing national security and military readiness.
- Supply Chain Autonomy: By partnering with the Saskatchewan Research Council, REalloys secures upstream supply of heavy rare earths, creating a complete supply chain from separation to metallization, reducing reliance on China and strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the defense industry.
- Strategic Investment: REalloys plans to process approximately 3,000 tonnes of NdPr metal and 245 tonnes of heavy rare earth metals over the next five years, further solidifying its position in the North American rare earth market to meet defense and advanced industrial system demands.
- Policy Support: The U.S. Department of Defense's updated procurement regulations prohibit the use of Chinese-origin rare earth materials, reflecting the government's commitment to domestic metallization capabilities, which is expected to attract more investment to support this critical sector.
See More
NioCorp Announces Pricing for Public Offering of Common Shares
- Offering Pricing: NioCorp has announced a public offering of up to 20 million common shares or pre-funded warrants at a price of $5 per share, which is expected to generate approximately $100 million in gross proceeds, indicating the company's ability to raise capital in the market.
- Clear Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds from this offering are intended for working capital and general corporate purposes, particularly to advance the Elk Creek critical minerals project in Southeast Nebraska toward commercial operation, highlighting the company's commitment to this strategic initiative.
- Timing of the Offering: The offering is expected to close on or about February 25, 2026, reflecting the company's strategic timing and planning for future growth.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement of the public offering, NioCorp's shares fell 6% in premarket trading, indicating a cautious market response to the financing news, which may impact investor confidence.
See More
U.S. Launches Strategic Minerals Reserve Initiative
- Strategic Minerals Reserve: The White House has launched Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative backed by a $10 billion EXIM loan aimed at establishing the first U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve in response to China's export restrictions on antimony, tungsten, and silver.
- New Silver Discoveries: Americore Resources has uncovered five historic drill holes at its Trinity Silver Project in Nevada, with Hole SC-4 returning a silver grade of 145.98 g/t, indicating that the existing 36 million-ounce silver resource estimate may be significantly understated, which could enhance the company's resource valuation.
- Drone Magnetometer Survey: Americore has completed a drone magnetometer survey covering approximately 350 line-kilometers, which will aid in understanding both the historic resource and the alteration halo surrounding the pit, providing critical data for future resource assessments.
- Historic Stockpile Evaluation: Americore is evaluating options to monetize approximately 400,000 ounces of silver in oxide material and 365,000 ounces in sulfide material from historic stockpiles, which could strengthen the company's financial position and further drive project development.
See More
NIOCORP DEVELOPMENTS RISES BY 10.2%
- Economic Growth: The NIO Corp reported a development in its economic performance, indicating a growth rate of 10.2%.
- Market Impact: This growth may influence investor confidence and market dynamics surrounding NIO Corp's future prospects.
See More
