The Radioactive Challenge in Rare Earths: Who Can Remove Thorium and Uranium-and at What Cost?

Highlights

• Thorium and uranium cannot be chemically neutralized—only separated from rare earths through flotation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, or selective precipitation.
• Lynas faces a hard 2031 Malaysian deadline to eliminate thorium-bearing WLP residue above 1 Bq/g, creating an industry-wide compliance stress test.
• MP Materials documented uranium-removal circuits in its February 2026 SEC filing, while Energy Fuels operates the only licensed U.S. monazite processing facility at White Mesa.
• A rare earth deposit's commercial viability depends not just on grade but on proven radionuclide deportment, regulatory licensing, and long-term residue management economics.
• No standardized global clean-carbonate premium exists; buyers, transport rules, and jurisdiction-specific thresholds each shape the true cost of compliant rare earth products.