Ann: Peak and Shenghe Sign Offtake and Strategic Co-operation MOU, page-127

So, America.

Possibility one: Peak continues down the ore concentrate path. Who, within the USA, has the capability to take in ore concentrate and turn it into a saleable product? Answer: right now, nobody. MP Materials is working towards it, but it won't be there until late 2023, and it's unclear whether they'll have the capacity to take in outside materials at that point: the official statements say it "will have the capacity to produce approximately 1,000 tonnes of NdFeB magnets per year", which I suspect is pretty close to the output of the mine. So that looks like a pipe dream.

Possibility two: Peak looks to refine and produce metals for sale to magnet manufacturers (going all the way to actual magnet production is a bridge too far at this stage of the company's development.) So the company would need funds for both the mine, and a refinery, and would have to arrange to do it in such a way that it satisfies the Tanzanian government's wishes. In this economy, I suspect that that's a very tall order. You'd need to organise a buyer for the magnet material, approximately two years out from actual production, before debt financing becomes an option.

I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying it's extremely difficult. Or, to put it another way, you're basically saying "I want a miracle to happen." Honestly, so do I. But if we're looking for a miracle, let's go for broke: full nuclear disarmament worldwide; full international cooperation and resolve on the environmental catastrophes facing us; billionaires paying their fair share of taxes; an end to corruption in politics... enough with this penny ante wishlist, hey?