In the midst of the China-USA trade war, supply sustainability remained a key topic of conversation at the 16th International Rare Earth Conference, held in Kuala Lumpur this month.
The specific attention for rare earths continues to be on magnet materials (Pr, Nd, Dy), which form a key component in the drivetrain motor of electric vehicles (EVs). Roskill’s latest rare earth forecast, which adjusts for lower EV adoption rates following a cut in China’s EV incentive schemes, still sees demand from magnets growing at 5–6%py over the next decade. By 2025, magnets are forecast to account for 33% of total rare earth demand by volume and over 81% by value.
Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW) is a mining company focussed on production from, and expansion of, the high grade Gakara Rare Earth Project in Burundi, East Africa. With in-situ grades in the range of 47-67% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), Gakara is one of the world’s richest rare earth deposits.