Is Russia in the same boat?

[Heat.Beat]

Curious as to whether Russia has significant post-mining processing and refining capabilities…
I didn’t pay close attention to the Clinton uranium deals and what Russia actually achieved (I assumed they had refining capacity there) but wonder if their nuke program had capability for relatively quick pivot to RE refining a la Energy Fuels?

Is there a triangulation play that obviously then affects Ukraine, NATO, etc al?

I’m sure it’s not that simple, more like hexangulation

 

[John]

I have a bunch of russian companies in my data set. But they are not going to change the rare earth world any time soon.

Most of the russian RE companies are not normal RE operations. ie they extract their rare earths from by products (fertilizers etc. ). They do produce some limited RE in concentrate/Carbonate form....etc.

the only main player is the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant. They do processing. Lovozersky does the bulk of the russian RE mining......but most of the processing is done by Solikamsk.

Again...globally insignificant.


The big thing with rare earths...is that you need a consistent and reliable supply. The magnet manufacturers need to tailor their processing systems to match that particular RE......buying from russia would be risky with sactions etc.

 

[John]

BTW - you can't say you have 'lived' till you have spent time in Russia. Amazing place. Both good and bad. And don't just go to Moscow...make sure you get into the the guts of it. Like Siberia.

 

[Deven]

AI:

"Russia currently lacks significant, modern post-mining processing and refining capabilities for rare earth elements (REEs), despite holding the world's fifth-largest reserves. Although possessing vast resources, Russia relies on China for ~98% of its consumption, with domestic processing limited to basic loparite concentrate production, often using outdated Soviet-era technology.
Key Findings on Russian REE Capabilities:

• Production & Refining Gap: Russia produces only about 0.6% to 2% of global REE output, with minimal in-country separation or refining capacity.
• Industrial Bottlenecks: A significant technology gap exists in transforming ore into high-purity magnets and metals, with Chinese partners reluctant to share refining technology.
• Strategic Shift: Following 2025 directives from President Putin, the state is investing in projects like the Mendeleev Valley cluster in Siberia to develop a full, integrated supply chain.
• Main Processing Site: The Solikamsk Plant is currently the primary processor, handling loparite concentrate, but its output is far below what is needed for true industrial sovereignty.
• Logistical Challenges: Many of Russia's largest, untapped deposits, such as the Tomtor field, are located in remote Arctic regions with minimal infrastructure for immediate extraction or processing. "

 

[Deven]

https://jamestown.org/russia-struggling-to-resist-prc-rare-earth-dominance/

"As Moscow’s concerns are largely centered on the domestic choke hold Beijing has over the Russian economy due to its reliance on REE imports, its most viable alternative options are in Central Asia. ... Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, however, have sought partnership with the PRC, the United States, and Japan rather than further integration with Russia. ... Most recently, delegations from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan joined other international partners in Washington to build secure and resilient critical minerals supply chains at the U.S.-hosted Critical Minerals Summit (U.S. Department of State, February 4). These developments further restrict Moscow’s options for reducing its reliance on the PRC and challenge Russia’s long-standing economic hegemony in Central Asia."

 

[Deven]

I have a bunch of russian companies in my data set. But they are not going to change the rare earth world any time soon.

Most of the russian RE companies are not normal RE operations. ie they extract their rare earths from by products (fertilizers etc. ). They do produce some limited RE in concentrate/Carbonate form....etc.

the only main player is the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant. They do processing. Lovozersky does the bulk of the russian RE mining......but most of the processing is done by Solikamsk.

Again...globally insignificant.


The big thing with rare earths...is that you need a consistent and reliable supply. The magnet manufacturers need to tailor their processing systems to match that particular RE......buying from russia would be risky with sactions etc.

"Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom, is developing proprietary REE extraction technologies ... and attempting to build an end-to-end REE production and supply chain, from mine to magnet."