Dig this: The only rare earth metals mine in U.S. is back in business

Last numbers we saw had 95% to 97% of the world’s rare earth metals coming from China. And in 2010-11, the Chinese government drastically reduced export quotas on rare earths to keep more of the precious metals for its own wind, solar and battery manufacturers.

In January we ran a story reporting the DOE’s increasing concern about rare earth shortages slowing adoption of clean technologies, since the materials are needed for EV motors, high-efficiency wind turbines and even eco-friendly compact fluorescent lights.

The thing is, rare earth metals aren’t all that rare, but the mining operations for them are. So news that a rare earth metals mining and manufacturing facility has restarted at California’s Mountain Pass mine is a positive development. Molycorp says its Project Phoenix is currently producing 2,800 short tons of fresh rare earth ore per day and expects to reach full production by April 1.

“The launch of Project Phoenix’s sequential start-up is occurring well ahead of our April 1 deadline, and represents the accomplishment of a critical milestone in our project,” said Mark A. Smith, Molycorp President and Chief Executive Officer. “When this new manufacturing facility is complete and running at full capacity, it will be the most technologically advanced, energy efficient and environmentally superior rare earth facility in the world.”

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