The conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has pushed energy security back into the spotlight and reminded markets how fragile raw material supply can be. When one chokepoint disrupts oil, attention often drifts to other critical inputs like rare earth metals that feed clean energy and high tech manufacturing. This article walks through three rare earth focused stocks from our screener that provide targeted exposure to this theme.
The three rare earth metal stocks covered below are a starting sample from the broader universe, and the full screen surfaced 2 more companies with equally compelling narratives that are not included in this article. If you want to identify and analyze the highest conviction rare earth opportunities quickly, head straight to the Rare Earth Metal Stocks screener.
Critical Metals (CRML)
Overview: Critical Metals Corp. is a mining explorer focused on rare earth element resources at its Tanbreez Project in southern Greenland, alongside lithium.
Operations: Critical Metals currently records about US$2 million in mineral exploration revenue, reflecting an early stage focus rather than mature mining output.
Market Cap: US$825 million
Critical Metals ties directly into the rare earth metals theme through its Tanbreez Project in Greenland. The project targets heavy rare earths used in magnets for electric vehicles, advanced defense systems, and other high tech equipment. With minimal current revenue and a development stage asset, the stock represents a high-risk way to gain focused exposure to potential Western REE supply, with outcomes dependent on how one unseen pressure plays out.
That unseen pressure is exactly what shows up inside the 5 warning signs (3 are major!), so you can gauge how fragile or resilient Critical Metals really looks.
NioCorp Developments (NB)
Overview: NioCorp Developments is a Colorado based explorer working to build the Elk Creek niobium, scandium, titanium and rare earth project in Nebraska.
Market Cap: US$440 million
NioCorp Developments taps directly into the rare earth metals theme through Elk Creek, which targets scandium and related critical minerals for high tech and clean energy supply chains. The analyst consensus Narrative on Simply Wall St outlines how ambitious that plan appears based on current feasibility work.
"The 2026 Elk Creek feasibility update increases the planned product slate to eight saleable outputs, including high purity magnetic rare earth oxides and rare earth carbonate concentrates."
The key variable for NioCorp Developments is whether future funding and offtake progress will fully support that multi product revenue plan.
That funding question is exactly what makes the full narrative for NioCorp Developments so useful, because it lays out how financing paths, partner interest and execution risk could reshape where NioCorp Developments ends up.
MP Materials (MP)
Overview: MP Materials produces rare earth materials and magnets from its Mountain Pass mine and Magnetics segment, supplying EV, clean energy and defense supply chains.
Operations: MP Materials generates about US$388 million from Materials and US$76 million from Magnetics, with a small negative segment adjustment.
Market Cap: US$6.5b
MP Materials is relevant for this rare earth metals screen because it links a US mine directly to finished magnets. The analyst consensus Narrative on Simply Wall St highlights how that integrated model could reshape how investors consider secure supply for EVs, renewables and defense.
"MP Materials is ramping NdPr oxide production at Mountain Pass toward a targeted 6,000 ton per year run rate, with management guiding Q3 2026 output to exceed 1,000 metric tons."
The key factor now is how efficiently that growing production base converts into higher margin magnet cash flows with a concentrated customer set.
That margin puzzle is where the full narrative for MP Materials really earns its keep, mapping how MP Materials could convert production gains into accelerating magnet economics and pricing power.
Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond Rare Earths?
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