MP Materials Corp. announced on July 10 what it called a “transformational public-private partnership” with the Department of Defense (DOD) to build out the nation’s rare earth magnet supply chain and reduce U.S. dependency on China and other countries. According to the agreement, the Pentagon will become the largest shareholder in the rare earth mining company.
According to MP Materials and DOD officials, the multibillion-dollar investment package and long-term commitments will enable the Las Vegas-based rare earths miner to build a second comprehensive, end-to-end domestic magnet manufacturing plant, called “10X Facility,” at a location to be chosen soon, serving both defense and commercial markets.
