USA Rare Earth CEO on 'Transformative' $2.8B Serra Verde Deal

USA Rare Earth will acquire Brazil’s Serra Verde Group for $2.8 billion, a deal expected to close in Q3 2026, positioning the company as the global leader in rare-earth element production. The acquisition aims to reduce reliance on China, which dominates the rare-earth market, by securing alternative supplies critical for high-strength magnets used in electronics, automotive, and defense industries. CEO Barbara Humpton called the deal "transformative," emphasizing its strategic importance amid geopolitical competition for rare-earth minerals essential to advanced technologies. The move aligns with U.S. and allied efforts to diversify supply chains, mitigating risks tied to China’s market control, which currently accounts for over 80% of global rare-earth production. Serra Verde’s assets will bolster USA Rare Earth’s capacity, accelerating production of neodymium, praseodymium, and other elements vital for quantum computing, EVs, and military applications.