The market of rare-earths is reviewed.  The rare-earth market is driven by three main applications: permanent magnets, luminescent phosphors and  catalysis. The market is currently driven by  iron based rare-earth magnets.  Luminescent phsophors are a relevant application, but in this case the rare-earth acts as a dopant and  the  demand volume is not so high as  in rare-earth magnets.  Cheaper rare-earths as cerium and lanthanum are  used in catalysis. Lanthanum is used for oil cracking, for stabilizing zeolites . Other applications are also reviewed. Yttrium demand increased recently, probably due  to  increased production of yttria stabilized zirconia.

Electrical cars use typically 1-2 kg of permanent magnets of the NdFeB type, based on the NBd2Fe14B, with partial replacement of Nd by Pr, and by Dy and Tb to increase the operation temperature.  In many applications, there is the possibility of replacement of NdFeB magnets by hard ferrites as Sr2Fe12O19 or BaFe12O19. However, for electric cars, NdFeB-type magnets are preferrable  because they increase the machine efficiency. 

Many rare-earth extraction projects were recently announced in Brazil. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of technology for rare-earth concentration, and also for rare-earth oxide separation. Here, it is discussed the roadmaps to be followed to overcome such problems.  China developed better technology for rare-earth  oxide separation [1], and  this possibly is the reason for the  Chinese leadership in the rare-earth market.

Ores  containing  rare-earth are very abundant along the globe. The main problem is  cheap technology for rare-earth concentration and also for rare-earth oxide separation. Brazil has  potential for becoming a significant producer of rare-earths, by using the tailings of niobium and tin mines. However, proper technology has to be developed for using these tailings.