“Mine-to-magnet” refers to a fully integrated rare-earth supply chain, where a single nation or company controls every stage, from mining the ore to producing finished permanent magnets. These magnets, typically neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) or samarium-cobalt, are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies.

Today, most rare-earth processing and magnet production occur in China, creating supply vulnerabilities for other countries. A domestic mine-to-magnet chain aims to reduce that dependence, improve traceability, and secure critical materials for advanced manufacturing.

Why It Matters

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is investing more than $400 million to establish a domestic mine-to-magnet supply chain by 2027 (Department of Defense, 2024). The goal is to ensure magnets for defense and clean-energy applications are sourced from trusted origins.

The Department of Energy’s 2024 Neodymium Magnet Supply Chain Report highlights that nearly 90% of magnet manufacturing occurs in China, posing strategic and environmental risks (Department of Energy, 2024).

Current Efforts

U.S. companies such as MP Materials and USA Rare Earth are working toward complete domestic production. MP Materials’ Mountain Pass mine supplies separated oxides for magnet production in Texas (MP Materials, 2024).

In September 2025, Energy Fuels announced that U.S.-mined rare earths were successfully processed and turned into magnets for electric vehicles, proof of concept for a domestic chain (Energy Fuels Inc., 2025).

Outlook

A resilient mine-to-magnet ecosystem could strengthen energy security and create high-tech jobs, but it demands heavy investment and strict environmental oversight. With global magnet demand projected to surge through 2030, controlling the full path “from mine to magnet” may become one of the defining industrial goals of the decade.

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Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Defense. “DOD Looks to Establish Mine-to-Magnet Supply Chain for Rare Earth Materials.” defense.gov, 2024.
  • U.S. Department of Energy. Rare Earth Permanent Magnets Supply Chain Deep-Dive Assessment. energy.gov, 2024.
  • MP Materials. “Partnership with DoD to Accelerate U.S. Rare Earth Magnet Independence.” mpmaterials.com, 2024.
  • Energy Fuels Inc. “U.S.-Mined and Processed Rare Earths Manufactured into Permanent Magnets.” investors.energyfuels.com, 2025.