One of the main differences since 2011 is the movement away from...

One of the main differences since 2011 is the movement away from the Heavy REEs (HREEs) (see the section on the new Magnet “Recipe“ following) and the much increased focus on the Light REEs (LREEs), especially the magnet feed material led by Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr) or collectively called “NdPr“.

Magnet Recipe

An additional extremely important point is that there was success in terms of altering the magnet recipe to significantly reduce the amount of Dysprosium (Dy) being used. While the REE permanent magnet was, and still is 100% REE, there was a signifcant reduction of this most expensive REE, championed by many and led by Siemens, but offsetting this reduction in Dy meant that there is then a concomitant increase in Neodymium (Nd) or Praseodymium (Pr). This is most significant for the REE projects whose economics were more based on Dy, the same projects that called themselves “Heavy REE projects” because the value of Dy has not appreciated the way that NdPr has. These projects ultimately saw the greatest negative effect on their economics, while those that had the balanced distribution, or were more enriched with the “Magnet Feed Material” saw a benefit from this new “recipe”.

Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/news/newswire/2017/12/06/good-times-are-back-ree-space#TxOHFCGuWdTLFldX.99