Question 1

What are rare earth elements?

Accepted Answer

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metals - the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They are essential to modern technology: permanent magnets, electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, smartphones, fiber optics, medical imaging and defense systems all depend on them.

Question 2

Why are they called 'rare' if they are not actually rare?

Accepted Answer

Most rare earths are more abundant in the Earth's crust than gold or silver - cerium is about as common as copper. They are called 'rare' because they seldom occur in concentrated, economically minable deposits, and separating them from each other is chemically difficult and expensive.

Question 3

What is the difference between light and heavy rare earths?

Accepted Answer

Light rare earths (LREE) - lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium - are more abundant and mainly recovered from monazite and bastnaesite. Heavy rare earths (HREE) - dysprosium, terbium, yttrium and others - are scarcer, command far higher prices, and are mostly sourced from ion-adsorption clays and xenotime.

Question 4

What are rare earths used for?

Accepted Answer

The highest-value application is NdFeB permanent magnets for EV motors, wind turbines, robotics and electronics. Other major uses include catalysts for oil refining and vehicles (cerium, lanthanum), polishing powders, specialty glass, phosphors for displays, lasers, and defense systems such as radar and guidance.

Question 5

Which rare earth elements are the most valuable?

Accepted Answer

By market value, neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) dominate - they account for well over half of the market's value due to magnet demand. Per kilogram, heavy rare earths like terbium and dysprosium are the most expensive, driven by scarce supply and defense and high-performance magnet demand.

Question 6

Why does China dominate the rare earth industry?

Accepted Answer

China controls roughly 90% of global rare earth refining and about 98–99% of separated heavy rare earth production. Decades of investment in separation technology, lower processing costs and integrated magnet manufacturing built this dominance - which is why buyers worldwide now seek independent, ex-China supply channels like ours.

Question 7

What is rare earth concentrate?

Accepted Answer

Concentrate is ore that has been mined and beneficiated (crushed, ground and physically separated) to raise the rare earth oxide (REO) content - typically to 45–70% REO. It is the standard traded feedstock that separation plants refine into individual rare earth oxides and metals.

Question 8

Which minerals contain rare earth elements?

Accepted Answer

More than 95% of economic rare earth production comes from four sources: bastnaesite (a fluorocarbonate), monazite (a phosphate), xenotime and ion-adsorption clays. CriticalOre supplies both monazite and bastnaesite concentrates as well as mixed rare earth concentrate.

Question 9

Are rare earth minerals radioactive?

Accepted Answer

Some are. Monazite naturally contains 4–7% thorium and traces of uranium, making it a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) that requires licensed handling, gamma spectrometry testing and compliant transport. Bastnaesite typically contains far less thorium (under 0.3%), simplifying logistics.

Question 10

What is NdPr and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

NdPr refers to neodymium and praseodymium, the two elements at the heart of NdFeB permanent magnets. Every EV traction motor and direct-drive wind turbine needs them, which makes NdPr content the single biggest driver of a rare earth concentrate's value.

Question 11

Which minerals does CriticalOre supply?

Accepted Answer

We supply rare earth concentrate, monazite, bastnaesite, copper, tin, tungsten and antimony concentrates, plus natural flake and amorphous graphite. Additional critical minerals are available on request through our sourcing network.

Question 12

Can you supply to custom specifications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Grade, moisture, particle size and packaging are agreed per contract. Send us your target specification and our team will confirm availability and pricing.

Question 13

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Accepted Answer

MOQ varies by product - typically 20 MT (one container) for most concentrates. Smaller trial lots can be arranged for first-time buyers alongside samples.

Question 14

What REO content does your rare earth concentrate have?

Accepted Answer

Our mixed rare earth concentrate typically runs 45–70% total REO depending on source and contract. Monazite concentrate runs 55–62% REO and bastnaesite 50–68% REO. The full element distribution, including NdPr content, is reported per lot by ICP analysis.

Question 15

Do you sell separated rare earth oxides?

Accepted Answer

Our core business is concentrates - the feedstock for separation plants. For buyers needing separated oxides (e.g., neodymium oxide, cerium oxide), we can source through processing partners on a case-by-case basis; contact our commercial team with your requirement.

Question 16

What is the difference between monazite and bastnaesite concentrate?

Accepted Answer

Both are light rare earth sources. Monazite is a phosphate mineral with higher NdPr but 4–7% thorium, requiring NORM licensing. Bastnaesite is a fluorocarbonate with very low thorium, making it simpler to import and process - but with slightly different element distribution.

Question 17

Which graphite grades do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Natural flake graphite at 90–97% fixed carbon in mesh sizes from +32 to -200, and amorphous graphite at 75–85% fixed carbon. Flake grades serve battery anode and refractory applications; amorphous serves steelmaking, foundry and lubricant uses.

Question 18

How is quality verified?

Accepted Answer

Every lot is sampled and analyzed by an independent laboratory (XRF screening plus ICP-MS/OES confirmation). A Certificate of Analysis accompanies each shipment, and third-party inspection by SGS or equivalent is available.

Question 19

Do you allow umpire analysis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sealed duplicate samples are retained for every lot, and umpire analysis terms are written into our standard contracts.

Question 20

Which testing methods do you use?

Accepted Answer

XRF for rapid elemental screening at origin, ICP-MS/ICP-OES for certified assay, oven moisture determination, sieve analysis for particle size, and gamma spectrometry for radiological screening of NORM materials like monazite.

Question 21

What exactly is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?

Accepted Answer

The COA is the laboratory certificate for your specific lot: elemental composition and grade, moisture, impurity levels and - where relevant - radiological data. It is issued by an independent laboratory before shipment and forms the contractual basis for settlement.

Question 22

Can we inspect the cargo before shipment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We support pre-shipment inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas or your nominated surveyor - covering sampling, assay witness, draft survey and container loading supervision. Buyer visits to loading facilities can also be arranged.

Question 23

What happens if delivered cargo differs from the COA?

Accepted Answer

Sealed umpire samples retained from loading are analyzed by a mutually agreed third laboratory, whose result is binding per contract. Settlement adjusts according to the agreed franchise and pricing formula - a standard mechanism in professional concentrate trading.

Question 24

How is pricing determined?

Accepted Answer

Pricing references international benchmarks (e.g., Asian Metal, Fastmarkets, LME where applicable) with adjustments for grade, impurities, quantity and incoterms. Quotes are firm for a defined validity period.

Question 25

Do you offer long-term contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes - we support spot shipments, quarterly contracts and multi-year offtake agreements with formula-based pricing.

Question 26

How are rare earth prices quoted if there is no public exchange?

Accepted Answer

Unlike copper or gold, rare earths have no central exchange. Prices come from assessment agencies - Fastmarkets, Argus, Asian Metal and SMM - based on surveyed transactions. Contracts typically reference these assessments with agreed adjustments for grade and payable content.

Question 27

Why are prices outside China higher than Chinese domestic prices?

Accepted Answer

Export controls and licensing have split the market. Heavy rare earths processed outside China have commanded premiums of 4–6x Chinese domestic prices, reflecting scarce independent supply. Buyers pay for assured, compliant, ex-China material - exactly what we specialize in providing.

Question 28

How is a mixed concentrate priced versus separated oxides?

Accepted Answer

Concentrate is priced on its contained, payable rare earth content - the 'basket price' - with a discount versus separated oxide values that reflects the buyer's separation cost. NdPr content drives most of the basket value; high cerium/lanthanum fractions earn less.

Question 29

Are rare earth prices rising in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes. July 2026 saw every major tracked rare earth rise, with NdPr alloy up over 21% in one month and dysprosium up 25%. Structural supply deficits, Chinese export controls and Western stockpiling continue to support prices - see our News page for current market updates with sources.

Question 30

Can pricing be linked to an index in a long-term contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Multi-shipment agreements typically use formula pricing tied to a named assessment (e.g., Fastmarkets NdPr oxide) averaged over an agreed quotation period, with fixed treatment terms. This protects both sides from spot volatility.

Question 31

Which incoterms do you support?

Accepted Answer

FOB (Laem Chabang / Bangkok Port) is standard; CIF and DAP to major world ports are available through our freight partners.

Question 32

How long does delivery to Europe take?

Accepted Answer

Typical ocean transit from Thailand to Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp is 30–40 days, plus loading and clearance. We provide tracking from booking to discharge.

Question 33

Which ports do you ship from?

Accepted Answer

Laem Chabang is our primary export gateway, with Bangkok Port as alternate. Both offer weekly direct services to Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

Question 34

Can you ship to the United States and other markets?

Accepted Answer

Yes - we serve buyers in 50+ countries including the US, EU, UK, Japan, South Korea and India, subject to destination-country import regulations (particularly for NORM materials like monazite).

Question 35

How is concentrate packaged for ocean shipping?

Accepted Answer

Standard packaging is 1 MT laminated jumbo bags with moisture-barrier liners, loaded into sealed 20 ft containers - weighed, photographed and tallied at loading. Drums are used for high-value or regulated parcels, and 25 kg bags on pallets for graphite.

Question 36

Can you deliver directly to our plant (DAP)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Through our logistics partners we arrange door delivery to plants and warehouses in Europe and Asia, with import clearance handled by the buyer. Tell us your plant location in the RFQ and we will quote DAP.

Question 37

Which documents accompany each shipment?

Accepted Answer

Commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Analysis, Certificate of Origin, bill of lading and MSDS. Additional documents (fumigation, insurance, radiation survey) are provided where applicable.

Question 38

Can you support letter of credit (L/C) transactions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our documentation team prepares full L/C-compliant document sets and works with major international banks.

Question 39

Do you provide Certificates of Origin for preferential tariffs?

Accepted Answer

Yes - chamber-certified Certificates of Origin are standard, and where destination trade agreements allow preferential access for Thai-origin goods, we prepare the corresponding preferential origin documentation.

Question 40

What is an MSDS and do you provide one?

Accepted Answer

The Material Safety Data Sheet describes the product's composition, hazards, safe handling, storage and transport classification. One accompanies every shipment and is available in advance for your EHS review.

Question 41

Can documents be issued to a third-party trader or agent?

Accepted Answer

Case by case. We support switch documentation and intermediary structures common in commodity trading, provided all parties clear our KYC and sanctions screening first.

Question 42

How do you handle radioactive minerals like monazite?

Accepted Answer

Monazite lots undergo gamma spectrometry and activity testing. We ship only to buyers holding valid NORM import/processing licenses, under IAEA-aligned transport classification, packaging and labeling.

Question 43

Is your supply chain conflict-free?

Accepted Answer

We source only from vetted, legal operations with chain-of-custody documentation aligned with OECD due-diligence guidance and RMI expectations.

Question 44

What licenses do we need to buy monazite?

Accepted Answer

You need a NORM import and processing license valid in your jurisdiction, plus an end-use declaration for rare earth processing. Our compliance team verifies licensing before contract and guides first-time buyers through the requirements.

Question 45

How does CriticalOre support EU CRMA compliance?

Accepted Answer

The EU Critical Raw Materials Act pushes buyers toward diversified, documented, responsibly sourced supply. We provide full traceability from origin to port, chain-of-custody records and ESG documentation that slot directly into your CRMA due-diligence file.

Question 46

How do you verify responsible sourcing in practice?

Accepted Answer

We implement the OECD 5-step due-diligence framework: supplier KYC and legal licensing checks, on-site assessments before first shipment, lot-level chain-of-custody records, annual re-verification, and grievance mechanisms at origin operations.

Question 47

Can I get a sample before ordering?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide 1–5 kg samples of most products for buyer evaluation. Sample lots ship by air courier with full documentation; costs are typically credited against the first order.

Question 48

How long does it take to receive a sample?

Accepted Answer

Usually 7–14 days: a few days to draw and document a representative sample, then air courier transit. NORM materials take longer due to transport classification requirements.

Question 49

Is there a cost for samples?

Accepted Answer

A modest charge covers sampling, documentation and courier freight - typically credited in full against your first commercial order. Recurring buyers receive samples of new lots free of charge.

Question 50

How do I place a first order with CriticalOre?

Accepted Answer

Submit an RFQ with product, target spec, quantity and destination. We complete mutual KYC, issue a firm quote, arrange samples if needed, then sign the sales contract covering specification, incoterm, payment and shipment schedule. First shipments typically move 3–6 weeks after contract.

Question 51

Which payment terms do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Irrevocable letter of credit (L/C at sight) and telegraphic transfer (T/T) with agreed deposit/balance structure are standard. Terms for established buyers are negotiable.

Question 52

Do you work with escrow or third-party payment platforms?

Accepted Answer

We prefer bank instruments - L/C or documentary collection - which give both sides proven protection in commodity trade. Escrow arrangements through recognized international banks can be discussed for first transactions.

Question 53

Which currencies do you trade in?

Accepted Answer

US dollars are standard for all quotes and contracts. EUR settlement is possible for European buyers by agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rare Earth Basics

Products

Quality

Pricing & Market

Shipping & Logistics

Documentation

Compliance & Sustainability

Samples & Orders

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