Light rare earth, lanthanide
What is neodymium? Properties, uses, supply and price
Neodymium (Nd) is a light rare earth element (atomic number 60) and the principal ingredient of NdFeB permanent magnets, the largest end use of rare earths worldwide.
Facts from USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Neodymium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol, atomic number | Nd, 60 |
| Group | Light rare earth (lanthanide) |
| Main end use | NdFeB permanent magnets |
| On the April 2025 Chinese list? | No (Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Lu, Sc, Y only) |
| World rare earth mine output, 2025 | 390,000 t REO; China 69% |
| US mine output, 2025 | 51,000 t REO (Mountain Pass) |
Where neodymium comes from
Minerals and mines
Neodymium is recovered mainly from bastnaesite, mined as a primary product at Mountain Pass, California, and from monazite, a byproduct of heavy-mineral sands. USGS valued the 51,000 tonnes of US rare earth concentrate produced in 2025 at $240 million.
Neodymium is separated with praseodymium
The two elements sit next to each other in the lanthanide series and are hard to separate, so they are sold together as NdPr oxide, which averaged $69 per kg in 2025 (USGS) against $73 for neodymium oxide alone.
What neodymium is used for
| End use | Weight | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| NdFeB permanent magnets | Leading global use | EV traction motors, wind turbines, hard-disk drives, industrial motors |
| Other | Minor | Alloys, lasers, ceramics and glass colouring |
Substitutes and recycling
Substitutes
USGS says substitutes exist for many rare earth applications but are generally less effective. Ferrite magnets and samarium-cobalt are the established alternatives to NdFeB.
Recycling
Limited quantities of rare earths are recovered from batteries, permanent magnets and fluorescent lamps (USGS).
Policy and supply security
Stockpiling and processing
The US government stockpile plan for fiscal 2025 listed potential acquisitions of 300 tonnes of NdPr oxide, 450 tonnes of NdFeB magnet block and 60 tonnes of samarium-cobalt alloy. US imports of rare earth compounds and metals rose 169% in 2025.
Dated events and export-control steps are on the China export-control timeline. Listed companies with exposure: Rare earth stocks with NdPr exposure.
Neodymium: frequently asked questions
What is neodymium used for?
Chiefly NdFeB permanent magnets: EV and hybrid traction motors, wind turbine generators, hard-disk drives and industrial motors. Magnets are the leading global end use of rare earths (USGS).
What is the difference between neodymium and NdPr?
NdPr is the combined neodymium-praseodymium oxide traded as one product. Separating the two elements is costly and magnet makers use the mixture, so NdPr is the standard benchmark.
Is neodymium rare?
No. Rare earths are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust (USGS); the difficulty is finding concentrations that can be mined economically and separating the elements.
How much does neodymium cost?
The reference price is $174.45 per kg as of 27 October 2026, +16.85% year to date.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.