General discussion, page-22

Research on Neodymium is very interesting and allusive. However, this is what I’ve been able to glean thus far:

The global neodymium rare earth magnets market generated a market revenue of USD 12.74 billion in 2018. Neodymium magnets are the strongest magnets throughout the globe. Based on their strength, even tiny magnets find wide applications in different industrial applications. Some of the key neo magnets application include electrical motor manufacture, medical science, renewable energy and automotive industries. Other exceptional properties such as super- strength, resistance to demagnetization and performance makes it ideal for use in different shapes and sizes (even as less than 1mm)

Some of the top players in the neodymium rare earth magent market are Daido Steel Co. Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemicals, Hitachi Metal, TDK, Nippon Steel, Sumitomo Metal are all headquartered in Japan. Yet, China is projected to emerge as the top player for neodymium owing to significant demand from its own domestic industries. Overall, the Asia Pacific is projected to account for more than 2/3rd of the global market rising with CAGR of 8.8% over the forecast period. In terms of market competition, the global neodymium rare earth magent is a fragmented industry due to the presence of a number of local Chinese players who are involved in rare earth mining and magnet production.

Clearly, neodymium is a ‘strategic’ material. Offering another source of secure supply from a sovereign-trusted country like Australia is going to be healthy for geopolitical reasons.

Therefore, what’s the chances of an Japanese offtake / involvement sooner rather than later?

All IMO, DYOR, GLTAH