What is neodymium and where does it come from?

Neodymium (Nd, atomic number 60) is a rare earth metal. Combined with iron and boron it forms NdFeB, the material of the strongest permanent magnets. It is mainly extracted from bastnaesite and monazite; China accounts for approx. 70% of mining and approx. 90% of processing.
By Team Magnetenspecialist
3 min read

Short answer: neodymium (symbol Nd, atomic number 60) is a silver-coloured metal from the group of rare earth metals (the lanthanides). With iron and boron it forms the alloy NdFeB (Nd₂Fe₁₄B), the material of the strongest permanent magnets in existence. Neodymium is mainly extracted from the minerals bastnaesite and monazite. China supplies about 70% of mining and around 90% of processing and magnet production.

Neodymium at a glance

Symbol / atomic number Nd / 60
Group Lanthanides (rare earth metals)
Discovered 1885, by Carl Auer von Welsbach (Austria)
Name Greek neos didymos: new twin
Melting point 1,024 °C
Density 7.0 g/cm³ (NdFeB magnet: approx. 7.5 g/cm³)
Abundance in the earth's crust approx. 40 ppm: more common than lead or cobalt
Main ores bastnaesite, monazite, ion-adsorption clay
Main application permanent magnets (NdFeB)

What is a neodymium magnet made of?

A neodymium magnet is not made of pure neodymium. It is an alloy of approximately:

  • 29 – 32% rare earth metals: mainly neodymium, often with some praseodymium (Pr), and for higher temperatures dysprosium (Dy) or terbium (Tb)
  • 64 – 69% iron (Fe)
  • approx. 1% boron (B)
  • small amounts of cobalt, copper, aluminium or gallium

The iron provides the high magnetisation, the neodymium the crystal structure that locks the magnetisation in place. Because it contains a lot of iron, the material corrodes quickly and always needs a coating. See why do neodymium magnets rust?

Where does neodymium come from?

The largest mines are in China (including Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia), the United States (Mountain Pass, California), Australia (Mount Weld), Myanmar and Thailand. China is the largest producer at approx. 70% and controls around 90% of separation and refining, and a similar share of global neodymium magnet production.

Neodymium is not actually rare, but it occurs scattered and together with other rare earth metals. Separating these chemically almost identical elements takes many steps, energy and chemicals. More in what are rare earth metals?

From ore to magnet

  1. Mining of ore containing rare earth metals
  2. Concentration and separation into individual oxides (including neodymium oxide Nd₂O₃)
  3. Reduction to neodymium metal
  4. Melting into NdFeB alloy, milling, pressing in a magnetic field and sintering
  5. Grinding, coating and magnetising

Read the full production process in how are neodymium magnets made?

What is neodymium used for?

  • electric motors in electric cars, e-bikes and industrial drives (see magnets in electric vehicles)
  • wind turbine generators
  • loudspeakers, earbuds, phones and hard drives
  • sensors, robotics and medical equipment
  • fixings, closures and magnet systems: the applications in our shop

Frequently asked questions

Is neodymium toxic or radioactive?

Neodymium itself is not radioactive and a coated magnet is safe to touch. The ore monazite does contain thorium; this is removed during processing. Fine neodymium dust (for example from grinding) is flammable and should not be inhaled.

Is neodymium magnetic by itself?

Pure neodymium is not ferromagnetic at room temperature. The strong magnetic properties only arise in the compound with iron and boron.

Can neodymium magnets be recycled?

Yes, but only on a small scale so far: worldwide an estimated less than 5% is recycled. In Europe, the Critical Raw Materials Act sets the goal that by 2030, 25% of critical raw materials come from recycling. See also disposing of or recycling magnets.

Read also

Need help choosing? Use the Magnet Advisor or contact us.