Energy Fuels' US-Produced "Heavy" Rare Earth Oxide Successfully Qualified for Use in Permanent Magnets

Core Insights - Energy Fuels Inc. has successfully produced high purity dysprosium oxide (99.9%) at its White Mesa Mill, which has passed initial quality assurance and quality control benchmarks set by a major South Korean automotive manufacturer for rare earth permanent magnet production [2][4][5] - The company plans to begin pilot production of terbium oxide in early 2026, with plans for samarium oxide production to follow, indicating a strategic expansion in the production of critical rare earth elements [6][7] Company Developments - The production of dysprosium oxide is a significant milestone for Energy Fuels, marking the first U.S. company to qualify both "light" and "heavy" rare earth elements for use in permanent magnet applications, which is crucial for the U.S. rare earth supply chain [4][5] - Energy Fuels has produced approximately 29 kilograms of high-purity dysprosium oxide since August 2025, exceeding automotive specifications [5] - The company is also planning to construct infrastructure for commercial-scale production of dysprosium and terbium oxides, with an expected capacity of up to 48 metric tons of dysprosium oxide and 14 metric tons of terbium oxide annually [8] Industry Context - Dysprosium oxide is essential for enhancing the durability and magnetic performance of neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets, which are used in electric vehicles, advanced robotics, and defense systems [3] - The supply of dysprosium and other heavy rare earth oxides is limited outside of China, especially following China's export controls on several rare earth elements [4]