Texas Rare Earth Mine Will Target 2028 Production
The Round Top project aims to reduce domestic reliance on foreign mineral refining for magnet manufacturing.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Manufacturing
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USA Rare Earth expects to begin commercial production at the Round Top deposit in Texas by late 2028. The site is expected to secure mineral supplies for a 100-year window, serving as a national security priority for domestic manufacturing.
Why it matters
Domestic production seeks to counter foreign dominance in mineral processing, which currently hinders U.S. manufacturers' ability to secure reliable supply chains for critical components. By keeping minerals in the U.S. for refining and processing, the project aims to insulate operators from reliance on overseas markets.
China accounted for 91% of global magnet rare earth refining in 2024. The Round Top site is estimated to provide a stable supply of minerals for approximately 100 years.
The players
USA Rare Earth
A developer of domestic rare earth mineral extraction and processing facilities that operates plants in Colorado and Oklahoma.
Permanent School Fund
A Texas state endowment that funds K-12 public education through revenues generated by state-owned assets and land.
The details
USA Rare Earth plans to extract and process minerals that are currently heavily concentrated in foreign refining facilities. The company operates vertically integrated processing facilities in Colorado and a magnet manufacturing plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma. By utilizing state-owned land in Hudspeth County, the developer will provide royalty revenue to the Permanent School Fund, which supports K-12 public education in Texas.
Timeline
2024: China accounted for 91% of global rare earth refining.
Late 2028: Commercial production is scheduled to begin at Round Top.
100-year window: The projected duration of mineral supply from the site.
Market Landscape
This development follows the broader national security priority to reduce reliance on foreign mineral processing. It marks a significant shift from the current industry pattern where China controls 91% of global magnet rare earth refining.
Operators in manufacturing sectors reliant on magnets should monitor the domestic supply capacity of this project as a hedge against foreign market volatility. Assess existing procurement contracts to determine if domestic sourcing options for rare earth minerals can be integrated by late 2028.
The takeaway
Domestic mineral production is becoming a critical component of supply chain stability for American manufacturers. Operators should track the 2028 production timeline to determine if sourcing shifts toward U.S.-mined materials will be feasible for their long-term supply contracts.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Express.
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