Can UUUU and Vulcan Elements Strengthen U.S. Rare Earth Magnet Supply?

Core Insights - Energy Fuels Inc. (UUUU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vulcan Elements to create a domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets independent of China [1][11]. Company Developments - Vulcan manufactures high-performance rare earth magnets for defense and commercial applications and operates a facility in Durham, NC. Energy Fuels will supply high-purity "light" and "heavy" separated rare earth oxides starting in Q4 2025 [2]. - Energy Fuels produced high-purity neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide at its White Mesa Mill in 2024, which is set to be used in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles across the U.S., Europe, and Asia [3]. - The company achieved a significant milestone by producing the first kilogram of dysprosium (Dy) oxide at pilot scale with 99.9% purity, exceeding the 99.5% commercial benchmarks [4]. - Energy Fuels plans to continue pilot-scale production until it produces approximately 15 kilograms of Dy oxide and aims to deliver the first samples of high-purity terbium (Tb) oxide in Q4 2025 [5]. - The White Mesa Mill is the only operating facility in the U.S. capable of processing monazite mineral concentrates into separated rare earth oxides, sourcing these concentrates from The Chemours Company [6]. Strategic Alliances - Energy Fuels is developing new heavy mineral sands projects in Madagascar, Brazil, and Australia, and has entered into a strategic alliance with Chemours to enhance U.S. domestic rare earth and critical mineral supply chains [7]. Industry Context - MP Materials has entered a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to expedite the development of a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain, backed by a multibillion-dollar investment [8][9]. - MP Materials will construct a second domestic magnet manufacturing facility, increasing its total U.S. rare earth magnet manufacturing capacity to 10,000 metric tons [9]. Financial Performance - Energy Fuels shares have increased by 140% this year, compared to the industry's growth of 6.6% [10]. - The company is trading at a forward 12-month price/sales multiple of 29.11X, significantly higher than the industry's 2.84X [12].