U.S. Rare Earth Breakthrough: Energy Fuels

Why Energy Fuels’ Dysprosium Oxide Production Matters

For the first time in modern history, an American company has produced a kilogram of dysprosium oxide at 99.9% purity on U.S. soil.

Energy Fuels dysprosium oxide output was announced this week at the company’s White Mesa Mill in Utah — a milestone that marks the re-emergence of heavy rare earth separation technology in the United States after decades of absence.

Understand the scope of the breakthrough:

China controlled 85% to 92% of the world's processing and refining of terbium oxide and produced about 70% of the total.
In recent years, Beijing has increasingly used its dominance as a geopolitical weapon, sharply tightening export controls.

Terbium oxide is by no means an exotic niche product. A chemical compound of the rare earth metal terbium with oxygen is used in LEDs, OLED displays, solar batteries and fluorescent lamps.
Even more important: highly effective magnets containing terbium oxide, indispensable for electric cars, wind turbines, aviation and — what is especially important — the defense industry.

Without these magnets, not a single F-35 fighter can fly, not a single submarine can dive, and not a single military drone can launch.

Dysprosium oxide – another Trump card
Success with terbium oxide is not an isolated case. The Energy Fuels company previously produced almost 30 kilograms of dysprosium oxide, also with a purity of 99.9% — another heavy rare metal oxide of enormous strategic importance. By combining both oxides into permanent magnets, it is possible to create motors that are smaller, lighter and significantly more powerful at high temperatures.
The company reports that it has already received inquiries from magnet manufacturers and manufacturing companies around the world.
Behind this industrial breakthrough is a clear political strategy.

President Trump initiated investments in the amount of 12 billion dollars to create a domestic stockpile of rare earth elements to break the dominance of China.
The US Department of Defense will also receive a fully independent supply chain for these critical materials.
Energy Fuels now plans to produce about one kilogram of terbium oxide per week at its existing pilot plant - with the stated aim of significantly expanding capacity.

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