Molycorp to Move Its Mountain Pass Rare Earth Facility to 'Care and Maintenance' Mode

Molycorp, Inc. MCPIQ announced today that it will transition its Mountain Pass Rare Earth Facility to a "care and maintenance" mode while it plans to continue serving its rare earth oxide customers via its production facilities in Estonia and China.  Customers of the Company's rare earth magnetic materials, as well as its rare earth-based water treatment products, will not be impacted. Rare earth production at the Mountain Pass facility will be suspended no later than October 20, 2015, and the site, including idled machinery and equipment, will be maintained to ensure it remains in a safe and stable condition, and that government regulatory commitments can be met.   Rare earth pricing, which has declined dramatically over the past four years, was a key factor in the decision to suspend rare earth production at Mountain Pass, Company officials said.   Molycorp See full press release