Locate the conversion between the headlines
DOE's magnet supply-chain assessment treats metal and alloy production as distinct activities between separated material and magnet manufacture. These intermediate capabilities can be less visible than a mine or a new magnet factory.
For each proposed route, ask who performs the conversion and at which site. A supplier may buy metal, alloy or prepared powder rather than separated oxide. Identify the actual purchased input before deciding which upstream facilities are relevant to the investigation.
US Department of Energy: Rare Earth Permanent Magnets Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment (2022) ↗
Test whether the converter is a usable alternative
A metal producer's advertised capability must match the required chemistry, quality and delivery form. Capacity for one product does not establish capacity for every alloy or customer specification. Where conversion is outsourced, identify who owns the material and which party is responsible for acceptance.
For diversification, compare converters across the shortlisted routes. Two oxide suppliers can still rely on the same metal maker. That shared dependency may matter more to the customer's contingency plan than the geographic spread of the mines. Do not quantify it unless the input shares or allocation are actually known.
An illustrative chain completion
A sourcing team finds an alternative oxide producer but its current magnet maker cannot accept oxide directly. The missing action is to establish a compatible metal and alloy route, then confirm the manufacturer's qualification requirements. The oxide discovery remains valuable, but it has not yet created an alternative deliverable magnet. Making that step explicit prevents a premature resilience claim.
Check the converter before closing the route
| Field | Question |
|---|---|
| Input | Oxide, metal, alloy or powder? |
| Transformation | Which site performs the required conversion? |
| Acceptance | Which specification and customer approval? |
Your review checklist
- Identify the magnet maker’s purchased input.
- Name the conversion site where disclosed.
- Check shared converters across alternatives.
- Keep technical compatibility separate from available allocation.
Investigate with Oreline
Use Oreline’s network to investigate the researched stages between oxide and finished magnet supply. Its facility and relationship evidence helps expose an intermediate dependency that a mine-versus-manufacturer comparison can miss.
Follow the evidence through the supply chain.
Explore Oreline’s guided investigations. No account required.
Explore the sandbox →Frequently asked questions
Can a magnet factory use separated oxide directly?
Do not assume so. Establish its actual input form and whether it performs the required upstream conversion.
Does another oxide source guarantee a second magnet route?
No. Conversion, qualification and commercial allocation may still be shared or unresolved.