What is the scale and strategic purpose of USA Rare Earth's $1.2 billion South Carolina investment?

USA Rare Earth will invest $1.2 billion to build a magnet manufacturing and rare earth metals facility in Cherokee County, South Carolina, expected to produce 6,400 tonnes per year of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets and 5,000 tonnes of rare earth metals and alloys, with commissioning targeted to begin in 2028; the facility aims to expand domestic production capacity and support critical industries including defense, aerospace, semiconductors, AI, and energy by strengthening secure rare earth supply chains amid U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on China.

How does the South Carolina project fit into USA Rare Earth's broader domestic production goals and existing infrastructure?

The South Carolina facility will complement USA Rare Earth’s existing magnet plant in Oklahoma, with the combined operations targeting a total domestic capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year of magnets and rare earth metals; site work for the new plant is expected to begin in the coming months, and the project is part of the company’s larger strategy to scale vertically integrated U.S.-based rare earth production.

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USA Rare Earth to invest $1.2 billion in South Carolina facility to boost domestic supply

Jun 2, 2026

USA Rare Earth announced a $1.2 billion investment in a South Carolina facility to produce rare earth metals and magnets, targeting commissioning in 2028 with 10,000 tonnes annual capacity. This strengthens U.S. domestic supply chains for defense and energy sectors while reducing reliance on Chinese imports.

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