Domestic Heavy Rare Earth Security. Today.
Dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium make next-generation defence, autonomous systems, and clean energy possible.
There is no substitute. There is no stockpile. And conventional mining takes 7–15 years to reach production.
The U.S. cannot build its next-generation military without metals it does not produce.
Critical Dependencies
These three metals are embedded in every system that defines U.S. strategic and technological advantage.
Dy
Tb
Y
Fighter aircraft & precision munitions
Each F-35 contains 920 lbs of rare earth material. Dy and Tb stabilise the magnets in fin actuators, flight control motors, and guided munitions. Y enables the YAG laser targeting systems standard across USAF, Army, and Navy platforms.
Dy
Tb
Drones & autonomous systems
A single drone motor contains 12–60 rare earth magnets, and drones carry up to eight motors. Dy and Tb keep those magnets stable under sustained high-RPM heat. Autonomous submarines, ground vehicles, and swarm platforms all depend on the same magnet chemistry.
Tb
Y
Directed-energy & laser weapons
YAG (yttrium aluminium garnet) is the backbone of military solid-state lasers—from range-finders to the Army’s Joint Laser Weapon System under the Golden Dome programme. Tb-based phosphors and magnetostrictive alloys support targeting displays and sonar arrays.
Dy
Tb
Y
Satellites & space systems
Stabilisation motors, communications arrays, optical systems, and defence-grade orbital platforms. As the Space Force expands its satellite constellations, the cumulative magnet and optical material requirement grows with every launch.
Dy
Tb
Y
Robotics & industrial automation
Humanoid robots, factory automation arms, and military ground platforms use Dy-Tb magnets in every joint actuator. The robotics demand inflection is just beginning—and every autonomous system requires the same magnet chemistry as defence.
Dy
Tb
Y
Electric vehicles & clean energy
EV traction motors and offshore wind generators are the largest single demand driver for Dy and Tb globally—83% of Dy demand today, rising to 94% by 2035. Includes Formula 1 hybrid powertrains and Formula E.
Dy
Tb
Y
Medical & imaging
MRI magnets, X-ray imaging, YAG medical lasers, and diagnostic phosphors. Hospital systems depend on the same metals as the military.
Dy
Tb
Y
Submarines & naval systems
A Virginia-class submarine carries over 9,000 lbs of rare earth material. Propulsion motors, sonar (Terfenol-D), and turbine thermal barrier coatings. The new Columbia-class will use even more.
Across the 17 rare earth elements, oxide prices can span roughly 6,000× from the lowest- to highest-value elements.
Dy
Tb
Y
Defence-Critical REEs
Up to $4,029/kg. Near-total import dependence. No domestic source. Highest chokepoint intensity.
U.S. rare earth production is dominated by lower-value light rare earths: concentrate produced by the largest operating mine is over 80% cerium and lanthanum, while American Terbium targets the high-value critical elements dysprosium, terbium and yttrium.
Recovering value conventional mining left behind
Methodology comparison
Conventional Mining
Conventional Mining
American Terbium
Steps to production
12+
4
Time to first production
7-15 years
~ 12 months
Initial CAPEX
~ $595M average
~ $62M
Feed Source
Newly mined hard rock
Already mined tailings
Communication required
Crushing + grinding + flotaion
None
Leach residence time
Multi-stage, weeks to months
~ 24 hours
Recovery rate
Varies by flowsheet
> 95%
Regulatory classification
Mining operation
Reclamation / remediation
[ Partner with Us ]
American Terbium’s deposit is enriched in significantly more defence-crirical elements than North America’s only operating rare earth mine
The only operating North American mine
is a world-class bulk deposit.
But 84% of its basket is lanthanum
and cerium—elements worth $1–$2/kg.
Metric (per tonne of ore)
North America’s only Operating Mine
American Terbium Advantage
Dysprosium per tonne
Ore-basis comparison
7.9×
Terbium per tonne
Ore-basis comparison
3.6×
Yttrium per tonne
Ore-basis comparison
14.0×
Combined Dy+Tb+Y per tonne
Ore-basis comparison
11.7×
Dy+Tb share of basket
Ore-basis comparison
84×
Illustrative Dy+Tb+Y in-situ value/t
Ore-basis comparison
5.3×
[ Partner with Us ]
American Terbium is advancing overlooked mine waste into HREE leach concentrate through a modular direct-leach platform. Submit an inquiry to discuss investment, offtake, or strategic partnerships.
American Terbium Corp. • Delaware Corporation • Founded 2020
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