Last month, MP Materials (NYSE: MP) signed an agreement to supply gadolinium oxide (a key rare-earth material found in nuclear reactor shielding on submarines and infrared sensors and electronics) to an unnamed U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturer. Management expects the contract to be worth nine figures over multiple years, with MP developing the additional separation capacity at its Mountain Pass facility in California.
Now, the company hasn't disclosed the customer or the specific size of the contract, but management described the deal as significant. And while I'm not typically keen on ambiguity, the announcement of this deal does provide some interesting intel about demand.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
You see, American aerospace and defense companies rely heavily on rare-earth materials for everything from aircraft and missiles to radar systems, satellites, and drones. The problem is that China controls much of the world's rare-earth processing and manufacturing capacity. That's a vulnerability the U.S. government has been trying to eliminate.
MP Materials already operates a mine and processing facility in Mountain Pass, California, and it's expanding further in Texas, where it currently produces rare-earth metals and magnets in Fort Worth. The company is actually building a much larger magnet manufacturing campus in nearby Northlake.
#earth #california #management
Now, the company hasn't disclosed the customer or the specific size of the contract, but management described the deal as significant. And while I'm not typically keen on ambiguity, the announcement of this deal does provide some interesting intel about demand.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
You see, American aerospace and defense companies rely heavily on rare-earth materials for everything from aircraft and missiles to radar systems, satellites, and drones. The problem is that China controls much of the world's rare-earth processing and manufacturing capacity. That's a vulnerability the U.S. government has been trying to eliminate.
MP Materials already operates a mine and processing facility in Mountain Pass, California, and it's expanding further in Texas, where it currently produces rare-earth metals and magnets in Fort Worth. The company is actually building a much larger magnet manufacturing campus in nearby Northlake.
#earth #california #management
1 day ago
