Start from the purchased product and work backwards
A buyer of finished magnets needs evidence of magnet manufacturing and the required finishing and qualification. A buyer of alloy needs a different production capability. Map the immediate input to the required product, then work upstream only as far as the sourcing question requires. The result is a chain of specific transformations rather than a collection of companies labelled 'rare earths'.
DOE describes the magnet supply chain across multiple processing activities. Its sector assessment is background for this stage-based approach, not proof that any particular facility performs every step.
US Department of Energy: Rare Earth Permanent Magnets Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment (2022) ↗
Record product and process together
For each facility, retain what enters, what leaves and which transformation is documented. A company may operate several stages at different locations or outsource a step. Do not assign the full group capability to each site. Likewise, a new oxide facility does not by itself establish new metal or magnet capacity.
Treat units with care. Tonnes of oxide, metal and finished magnets are not interchangeable measures of supply. Chemical basis, other constituents and process yields must be understood before attempting a conversion. A single universal conversion factor is not an adequate substitute for those definitions.
Illustrative chain review
A project announces domestic oxide production and a customer intends to manufacture magnets domestically. The chain between them still needs a supported metal and alloy route. The research conclusion is not that the plan is impossible, but that a specific intermediate capability remains to be demonstrated or disclosed.
Ask a different question at each stage
| Stage | Capability to verify |
|---|---|
| Oxide | Separated product and specification |
| Metal or alloy | Conversion process and suitable output |
| Magnet | Manufacturing, finishing and application qualification |
Your review checklist
- Define the product your buyer actually needs.
- Assign capabilities to sites, not just groups.
- Identify outsourced transformation steps.
- Avoid adding unlike product tonnages.
Investigate with Oreline
Oreline organises facilities by production stage and links them to supporting research. Use that structure to investigate where a proposed supplier route is complete and where a missing conversion step needs follow-up.
Follow the evidence through the supply chain.
Explore Oreline’s guided investigations. No account required.
Explore the sandbox →Frequently asked questions
Does a mine-to-magnet company perform every step at one site?
Not necessarily. Verify the operating locations and outsourced steps rather than inferring them from the company description.
Can oxide tonnes be compared with finished-magnet tonnes?
Not directly. Product composition, chemical basis and conversion yields differ and must be reconciled explicitly.