Zhongxin Antai to Develop 8ktpa Rare Earth Metals and Alloys Initiative

Highlights

• Northern Zhongxin Antai New Materials to develop an 8,000 tons per year rare earth metals and alloys project in Baotou, Inner Mongolia.
• Project involves a $12.8 million investment.
• Will produce PrNd mischmetal, LaCe mischmetal, and ferrogadolinium for various high-tech applications.
• Company is a private enterprise backed by China Northern Rare Earth.
• Signals strategic public-private sector collaboration in rare earth production.

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The Chinese company Northern Zhongxin Antai New Materials (Inner Mongolia) Co., Ltd. in February received approval from the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to develop an 8,000tba rare earth metals and alloys project at an existing rare earth plant in Baotou. According to a report on Asian Metal, (opens in a new tab) the production capacity will include 3,700tpa of PrNd mischmetal, 3,300tpa LaCe mischmetal, and 1,000tpa of ferrogadolinium.

A total of $12.8 million is anticipated for what is projected to be a 24-month project.

Mischmetal is an alloy made up of a mixture of rare earth metals, primarily cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), and praseodymium (Pr), along with small amounts of other rare earth elements. The composition can vary, but cerium and lanthanum are usually dominant.

​Northern Zhongxin Antai New Materials Co., Ltd. is a private company specializing in the innovation, research and development, production, sales, and foreign trade of rare earth metals. The company is backed by China Northern Rare Earth, a state-owned enterprise, indicating a strategic partnership between the private and public sectors in China’s rare earth industry.

The project will allow the company to produce up to 8,000 tons of rare earth metals and alloys per year. This includes 3,700 tons of a mix of praseodymium and neodymium (used in high-performance magnets), 3,300 tons of a lanthanum and cerium mix (used in catalysts and batteries), and 1,000 tons of ferro-gadolinium (used in specialized electronics and energy applications).