Despite the challenges the rare earths market faced in 2019, those INN spoke to remain confident that the growing importance of the critical metals will translate to price growth and prosperity long term.
“We think pricing for neodymium oxide will keep moving between US$40 and US$50 per kilogram, a healthy range,” said GeoMegA’s Mugerman. “Demand growth will keep coming from more usage. More stability and international growth will help bring electric vehicles faster to global adaptation.”
Kiril Mugerman, CEO of GeoMegA Resources (TSXV:GMA,OTC Pink:GOMRF), a rare earths recycling company based in Quebec, wants investors to be cautious and to consider looking for alternative production streams like recycling as ways to get involved in the market.
He noted that no REE mines have been acquired in the last decade, and only three projects, one of which is now bankrupt, have entered production in that time — evidencing the difficulty in the sector.
Of the two that have been successful, Mugerman said, “One is a small operation in Africa, and one is a large project in Australia that was bankrolled by Japan and is intent on doubling production and making sure no new mines go into production outside of China. It’s a difficult sector, and with pricing staying at the current level long term, investors should focus on companies who are refining, recycling and producing final product with a low CAPEX.”