I’d like to congratulate MP Materials Corp. on its $35 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The funds will be used to develop a commercial-scale heavy rare earth element processing and separation facility at Mountain Pass.
MP Materials Corp., located in San Bernardino County’s First District, is the only active rare earths mine in the United States. This partnership will ensure that the United States will no longer need to rely on China, which controls most of the market, for rare earth materials.
These minerals are critical to our nation’s self-defense systems (such as Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, Smart Bombs and Predator Unmanned Aircraft) and clean energy efforts (such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicle batteries).
Not only will the grant ensure our nation’s self-reliance, but it will also allow MP Materials to create more than 350 new jobs over the next two years. It’s a win-win.
The contract was announced Tuesday by President Biden, MP Materials CEO James Litinsky, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“We can’t build a future that’s made in America if we ourselves are dependent on China for the materials that power the products of today and tomorrow,” President Biden said Tuesday.
Demand for these rare earth materials is only expected to increase as the global market continues to move toward renewable energy sources.
“The ability to mine, process, and refine rare earths at Mountain Pass is foundational to a national effort to secure the U.S. rare earth supply chain,” said MP Materials Chairman and CEO, James Litinsky. “We thank the Department of Defense for its confidence and support.”