Press Releases

U.S. Magnetic Materials Association Provides an Update on the High-Performance Magnet Markets at Technology Metals Summit 2013

April 19, 2013

Washington, DC — The U.S. Magnetic Materials Association (USMMA) will provide a market and supply chain update on high-performance magnetic materials at Technology Metals Summit 2013 (TMS2013) on April 22, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“It is a privilege to participate with so many industry and government partners at TMS 2013,” said Ed Richardson, president of the USMMA and TMS2013 presenter. “This summit is an excellent platform to discuss the impact of high-performance magnet manufacturing on the defense industrial base and long-term competitiveness.”

TMS2013 will gather senior government officials and industry leaders from over 100 firms in North America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Richardson will discuss the necessity for a secure supply chain of high-performance magnetic materials for the unique requirements of the defense market and to develop the next generation of magnetic materials.

“Despite considerable public interest in rare earth elements, our quarterly Rare Earth Supply Chain assessment continues to show that the production of raw, semi-finished, and value-added rare earth materials continues to be dominated by China-based firms,” Richardson continued. “Rare earth elements are materials critical to national security, and the USMMA is dedicated to developing a comprehensive supply chain solution.”

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China to Stockpile 4 of the 5 “Rare Earths That Matter”

July 3, 2012

(WASHINGTON) - The U.S. Magnetic Materials Association (USMMA) considers the recent announcement that the Chinese government may support a stockpile of heavy rare earth oxides with interest-free loans as further confirmation of the need for a non-China-dependent, domestic and allied nation rare earth supply chain.

These oxides include four of the five rare earth elements classified as critical by renowned industry consultant Jack Lifton of Technology Metals Research: terbium, dysprosium, europium, and yttrium.

USMMA and its member companies have long expressed their concerns to the U.S. Government about the availability of and dependency on Chinese rare earth elements for national security and energy requirements. USMMA’s member companies are capable of creating a stable and secure supply chain for rare earth components, and we continue to urge the U.S. Government to explore solutions to its ongoing supply chain vulnerability.

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US Magnetic Materials Association gives briefing at Inaugural Meeting of Congressional
Rare Earths Caucus

December 14, 2011

The United States Magnetic Materials Association briefed members of Congress today at the inaugural meeting of the Congressional Rare Earths Caucus. The briefing, entitled “Rare Earths: State of the Industry,” focused on efforts to rebuild a domestic and allied nation rare earth supply chain and develop additional supplies of the critical materials. It also included a discussion on current bills pending before Congress, efforts by the Department of Defense to develop a rare earth inventory, and the USMMA’s six-point plan to address the rare earth supply crisis.

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US Magnetic Materials Association Applauds Inclusion of Rare Earth Inventory Assessment in Fiscal Year 2012 Defense Authorization Bill

December 13, 2011

The United States Magnetic Materials Association today applauded congressional defense authorizers for including a provision in the final version of the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to conduct a rare earth inventory assessment at the Department of Defense.

The provision, originally included in the bill as an amendment by Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO), would require the Defense Logistics Agency to conduct an assessment of rare earth materials, and forms of those materials, required to support the needs of the Department of Defense. It would also consider potential market impacts and steps the department could implement to use the inventory as a catalyst to development of secure sources of rare earth oxides, metals, alloys and magnets. Finally, the assessment will consider the viability of potential producers in the next five years. Findings and recommendations based on the report would be submitted to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees for review.

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US Magnetic Materials Association Welcomes New Member Companies Texas Rare Earth Resources
and Stans Energy

July 19, 2011

The United States Magnetic Materials Association today announced the addition of Texas Rare Earth Resources and Stans Energy as members of the comprehensive rare earth industry collaboration. The move increases the association’s core membership to ten, innovative companies.

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USMMA Lauds Legislation to Reduce Economic and Security Risks

May 27, 2011

The United States Magnetic Materials Association welcomes the introduction of the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2011 (S. 1113) by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). This timely legislation, which received the bipartisan support of 16 co-sponsors, represents a comprehensive solution to market uncertainties that plague important elements of the national security and green technology industrial bases. USMMA applauds Senator Murkowski for her leadership on this issue and urges the Senate to move quickly on considering this bill.

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May 24, 2011

Ed Richardson, President, U.S. Magnetic Materials Association testifies before congress

Ed Richardson, President of the U.S. Magnetic Materials Association testified today before the House Natural Resources Committee: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources at an oversight hearing on "Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy: Domestic Minerals Supplies and Demands in a time of Foreign Supply Disruptions".

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May 3, 2011

USMMA Rare Earth Myth Fact Paper

The U.S. Magnetic Materials Association ("USMMA") is a trade association dedicated to restoring a competitive, secure, end-to-end rare earth supply-chain to support the domestic manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets. USMMA is concerned with recent news reports, "think tank" positions, academic reports, U.S. government generalizations and promotional activities by some rare earth industry participants that oversimplify and downplay the seriousness of the rare earth crisis. Therefore, the USMMA is issuing the below "Myth-Fact" paper to clarify key points relevant to the successful reintroduction of a "mine-to-magnets" rare earth supply chain.

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April 6, 2011

Comprehensive Rare Earth Legislation Introduced: Prioritizes Development of a Complete and Secure Supply-Chain
Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) Introduces RESTART Act of 2011

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”), a coalition of companies representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today applauded Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman for introducing legislation to address the impending rare earths crisis.

Coffman’s Rare Earth Supply-Chain Technology and Resource Transformation (RESTART) Act of 2011, H.R. 1388, is a comprehensive bill that addresses all aspects of the nation’s significant rare earths challenges, including resource development and downstream manufacturing for metal, alloys and magnets. This critical legislation also provides for the Department of Defense’s notable neodymium magnet needs, establishes key oversight and government responsibilities, and fosters necessary research and development, balancing it with the need for a diverse, reliable, and competitive supply chain.

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February 23, 2011

USMMA Calls for Rare Earth Strategic Reserve
Trade Collaboration Offers Complete, Competitive Mine-to-Magnets Capability to Counter
Chinese Industry Dominance

Washington, DC – The United States Magnetic Materials Association (“USMMA”), a trade association dedicated to restoring a secure rare earth supply-chain to support the domestic manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets, today countered a recent study by the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society. In response, the USMMA is calling on the U.S. Government to establish a strategic reserve of certain critical rare earth metals, alloys and magnets.

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December 16, 2010

USMMA Lauds New Legislation to Address Critical Rare Earth Vulnerabilities
Congress Should Pass Legislation Quickly to Support Green Technologies and National Security

Washington, DC – The United States Magnetic Materials Association (“USMMA”), a trade association representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today welcomes the introduction of S.4031, the “Rare Earths Supply-Chain Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2010” or “RESTART Act” that would establish a viable domestic supply chain of those rare earth materials so essential to clean energy technologies and defense applications.

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November 19, 2010

USMMA Welcomes USGS Report on Rare Earths, Offers Clarifying Comments
U.S. Geological Survey Assessment Raises Critical Issues Regarding National Security and Green Technologies

Washington, DC – The United States Magnetic Materials Association (USMMA), a trade association representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today applauded the recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment, “The Principal Rare Earth Elements Deposits of the United States” as an excellent review of mineralization occurrences in the United States. While acknowledging that many such deposits are unproven and that China currently produces nearly all REEs on the world market, this report is the most comprehensive U.S. Government assessment of domestic rare earth reserves to date. It is thus a useful starting point for discussing options for developing reliable supplies of the raw and processed materials that are essential to national security and green technologies.

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August 13, 2010

Expansion Provides Comprehensive Alternative to Chinese Rare Earth Dominance
Collaboration Offers Complete, Competitive Mine-to-Magnets Capability

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”) today announced the addition of Arnold Magnetic Technologies, Great Western Technologies Inc., and Lynas Corporation, Ltd. (ASX: LYC) as members of the comprehensive rare earth industry collaboration. The move increases the association’s core membership to seven, innovative companies.

Arnold specializes in the production of a wide range of high-performance soft and permanent specialty magnets. Great Western Technologies is a leading producer in North America for rare earth materials, powders, and custom vacuum-grade specialty alloys. Lynas Corporation has developed a mine at its rich deposit of rare earths at Mt. Weld in Western Australia.

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RESTART Act: US House of Representatives
www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4866:

RESTART Act: US Senate
www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.3521:

July 13, 2010

China’s Rare Earth Export Restrictions Hurt Green Jobs in U.S.
Recent Chinese Government Actions Restrict Key Raw Materials for Clean Energy

Washington, DC – The United States Magnetic Materials Association (“USMMA”), a trade association representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today warned of impending shortages of rare earth materials needed to support domestic manufacturing in support of emerging green technologies like wind generation, hybrid vehicles, and new battery development, high-tech consumer products like mobile phones, PDAs, MP3s, and national security and defense systems.

Late last week, China, the world’s largest rare earths producer, announced new plans to cut rare earth export quotas by 72 percent for the second half of the year. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, foreign shipments will be capped at 7,976 metric tons, down from 28,417 tons for the same period last year.

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June 23, 2010

Magnet Materials Industry Leaders Applaud Murkowski Leadership on Rare Earths
Alaska Senator Introduces Companion Bill to RESTART Act of 2010

Washington, DC – The United States Magnetic Materials Association (“USMMA”), a coalition of companies representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today applauded Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski for introducing legislation to address the impending rare earths crisis.

Murkowski’s Rare Earth Supply-Chain Technology and Resource Transformation (RESTART) Act of 2010 would reestablish competitive domestic rare earths mineral production, processing, refining, purification, and metals production industries to support the growth of green job technology and manufacturing as well as the nation’s defense industry.

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April 14, 2010

Federal Government Report Confirms Magnet Materials Industry’s Warning of Impending Rare Earths Crisis
Government Accountability Office Releases Review of Rare Earths in Weapon Systems to Congress

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”), a coalition of companies representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today acknowledged a report by the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) that confirms its warning of the impending rare earths crisis, especially as it relates to homeland security and the national defense.

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GAO Report on Rare Earths

Defense News Report on U.S. Military Dependence on Rare Earths

March 17, 2010

Congress Responds to Magnet Materials Supply Chain Player Push on Impending Rare Earths Crisis
Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) Introduces RESTART Act of 2010

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”), a coalition of companies representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today applauded Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman for introducing legislation to address the impending rare earths crisis.

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February 4, 2010

Magnet Materials Supply Chain Players Propose Six-Point Plan to Address Impending Rare Earths Crisis
USMMA Offers Path Forward to Federal Government Leaders

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”), a coalition of companies representing domestic high performance magnet producers and suppliers, today submitted a proposal to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, and Defense, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President to create a “whole-of-government” approach to resolving the Rare Earth Elements (REE) supply crisis, a serious threat to the United States’ economic and national security.

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October 28, 2009

Industry Experts Join Magnet Materials Supply Chain Association to Advance Domestic Rare Earth Issues
Products Vital to Green Job Growth and National Security Technology

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”) today announced that three industry experts – Jack Lifton, Stan Trout, and Tony Morcos – have joined the association as members of its newly-created advisory board.

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September 29, 2009

Magnet Materials Supply Chain Players Collaborate to Advance Domestic Rare Earth Issues
Products Vital to Green Job Growth and National Security Technology

Washington, DC – The United States Magnet Materials Association (“USMMA”) today announced the addition of Thorium Energy, Inc. This move expands the coalition’s focus to include rare earth materials and the rare earth magnet supply chain. A September 2009 report by the USGS confirms that Thorium Energy, Inc. holds 90% of rare earth resources in Idaho’s and Montana’s Lemhi Pass, long considered the location of one of the largest documented high-grade deposits in the world outside of China.

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