MP Materials posts smaller loss as rare earths production surges

The company - which operates the only U.S. rare earths mine in Mountain Pass, California - has been in the spotlight as President Donald Trump's administration ramps up efforts to build out a domestic supply to reduce dependence on China. MP Materials said rare earths concentrate production at the mine increased nearly 45% to 13,145 metric tons, while production for neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) — the two most in-demand rare earths — jumped nearly 120% to 597 metric tons in the second quarter ended June 30.