ASX Rare Earth Stocks: An Investment Opportunity?
ASX rare earth stocks are a hot topic among investors. But what are rare earths, why should you consider investing in ASX rare earth stocks and what are the risks?
What Are Rare Earths?
Rare Earths are metallic elements found in the Earth’s crust. They have unique chemical properties that make them incredibly useful for a variety of applications across multiple industries, from telecommunications to automotive manufacturing. They aren’t called rare because they aren’t abundant in the earth’s crust in and of themselves, but because it’s rare to locate them in economic quantities.
The demand for these resources is steadily increasing as technology advances and more products require their use. As a result, many investors have begun looking into ASX rare earth stocks as an investment opportunity.
What are the best ASX Rare Earth stocks to invest in right now?
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Why Invest in ASX Rare Earth Stocks?
There are several reasons why investing in ASX rare earth stocks could be beneficial for your portfolio.
First and foremost, rare earth element prices tend to be quite volatile, which means that there is the potential for high returns if you’re able to identify price changes quickly and capitalize on them.
Additionally, due to the unique properties of these elements, their demand is expected to remain strong over the long term as companies look for new ways to utilize them. Finally, with an increasing number of companies entering the market, competition is likely to increase driving down prices which could make it easier for investors to enter at low points and reap higher returns when prices rebound.
Rare Earths Mining
What are the Best ASX Rare Earth Stocks?
If you’re looking to invest in rare earths companies on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), there are several listed companies that specialize in producing and trading these valuable commodities.
ASX rare earth stocks are typically involved in both exploration and production of rare earth elements with operations primarily located in Australia, but some extending overseas as well. Each company has its own specialty area within the rare earth industry but are all seeking to help the Western world reduce its dependency on China for rare earths.
ASX rare earth stocks
Of all these ASX rare earth stocks, Lynas (ASX:LYC) is the most far advanced with its Mt Weld mine in Western Australia and Malaysian processing plant. In fact, it is the only major producer of rare earths outside China
Next is Arafura Resources (ASX: ARU) which has just commenced construction on is Nolans project in the NT.
Then there are nearly a dozen explorers that are aspiring to become producers.
- American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) has La Paz Rare Earths Project in Arizona.
- Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM) has recently shown some great progress with its Dubbo project in western NSW.
- Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) is getting close with its Yangibana rare earths project in the Gascoyne region of WA.
- Ionic Rare Earths (ASX: IXR) probably has the best geology out there for easy-to-obtain rare earths in its Makuutu Project in Uganda.
- Northern Minerals (ASX: NTU) reckons it has the right stuff with its Browns Range project in WA’s Kimberley Region.
- Peak Resources (ASX: PEK) has also done feasibility work on its Ngualla rare earths project in Tanzania.
- RareX (ASX: REE) has a rapidly expanding rare earths deposit at Cummins Range project in WA’s Kimberley region and;
- Vital Metals (ASX: VML) has the Nechalacho project in Canada’s Northwest Territories as its flagship.
What about rare earth ETFs?
To gain exposure to several rare earths stocks (ASX and non-ASX alike), you may consider investing in an ETF. Just as is the case with any other sector, ETFs represent a quick way to several companies without having to buy eac underlying security individually.
The challenge for investors is doing due diligence on each ETF and what it invests in. Investors shouldn’t just look at an ETF’s name and buy into a company straight away.
There aren’t any specific rare earth ETFs in Australia but there are some overseas including the VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:REMX) and the Rare Earth Elements & Critical Materials Fund (NYSE:CRIT). Nevertheless, you might find ASX rare stocks in more generalised ETFs. ne example is the Global X Green Metal Miners ETF (ASX:GMTL) that holds a handful of rare earths Chinese companies.
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Risks associated with rare earth stocks
All commodities have some geopolitical risks but rare earths are particularly vulnerable. China has a near monopoly on rare earths, to the point where Lynas is the world’s only major producer not from China. But China is also a big buyer of rare earths and welds an enormous amount of power over the rare earths market.
This being said, China is not the only country posing geopolitical risks right now. Malaysia will introduce a processing ban on rare earths from July 1 this year, thereby threatening Lynas. Although Lynas is building a new processing plant at Kalgoorlie, it remains to be seen if it will be up and running by that deadline. Other ASX rare earth stocks that enter production will inevitably have to navigate this complicated minefield.
What about Tesla’s claims?
Also, there have been fears from investors that electric vehicle makers such as Tesla will need less rare earths. At Telsa‘s most recent investor day, Elon Musk revealed that Model 3 vehicles manufactured today use 25% less rare earths than it did five years ago. He also said rare earths may not be required in future batteries, keen to simplify supply chains.
We think there is enough demand for rare earths in other technologies, although this is something investors should be aware of. It is also important that investors look towards the specific ‘rare earth’ that their ASX rare earth stock is prospecting for or producing.
Conclusion: You Might Want to look at ASX Rare Earth Stocks
ASX rare earth stocks could be a good opportunity for investors, given the importance of rare earths for many modern (and future) technologies. These metals aren’t actually that rare, they’re just in hot demand due to their unique chemical and physical characteristics. They remain highly sought-after by industries around the world who need them ranging from consumer electronics to military defence systems.
As technology continues to advance so too will the demand for these strategic materials – making ASX rare earth stocks an attractive investment opportunity for savvy investors with an eye on the future!