Rare earths race heats up with US-Saudi deal and Shenghe acquisition

Rare earths race heats up with US-Saudi deal and Shenghe acquisition Rare earths race heats up with US-Saudi deal and Shenghe acquisition

SYDNEY/TOKYO — U.S. rare earths company MP Materials has signed an initial agreement with Saudi miner Maaden to “explore” developing a rare earths industry in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, came as major Chinese rare earths player Shenghe Resources — a strategic investor in MP — said it will acquire Australian-listed explorer Peak Rare Earths.