MP Materials: The Las Vegas Company Attracting Big-Name Investors Amid Rare Earths Demand

MP Materials, a Las Vegas-based company, has seen its shares surge over 250% this year as investors, including Apple and the Pentagon, show interest in its rare earths production. The company's Mountain Pass, California facility, the only operational rare earths mine in the US, and its magnet plant in Fort Worth, Texas, have drawn interest from investors due to the strategic importance of rare earth magnets in national security and cutting-edge products.

MP Materials Corp. (MP) has seen its shares surge by over 250% in 2025, driven by strategic investments from Apple Inc. (AAPL) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The company's rare earths production has gained significant attention due to the strategic importance of rare earth magnets in national security and cutting-edge products.

On Tuesday, Apple announced a $500 million commitment to purchase "American-made rare-earth magnets" from MP, with the magnets to be produced at MP's flagship facility in Fort Worth, Texas. This partnership includes the development of novel magnet materials and innovative processing technologies to enhance magnet performance. Additionally, Apple and MP will collaborate on a rare-earths recycling line in Mountain Pass, California, where MP operates its mine and processing facilities. The iPhone maker's move is part of its $500 billion, four-year investment pledge in the U.S., announced earlier this year [1].

The Pentagon has also shown interest in MP Materials. Last week, the DoD agreed to buy a direct equity stake in MP, making it the company's largest shareholder. This investment aims to boost domestic critical mineral production and counter China's dominance of the rare earth supply chain. The DoD is exploring similar investments in other U.S. mining companies to strengthen the domestic critical minerals sector [2].

The strategic importance of MP Materials' rare earths production is underscored by its role in national security. Rare earths are essential for making advanced technology, including weapons such as the F-35 warplane, drones, and submarines. The U.S. was almost entirely dependent on foreign countries for rare earths in 2023, with China representing about 70% of imports [2].

MP Materials CEO James Litinsky views the Pentagon's partnership as a model for other companies in industries crucial for national security. The company's Mountain Pass facility, the only operational rare earths mine in the U.S., and its magnet plant in Fort Worth have drawn significant interest from investors seeking to capitalize on the geopolitical realignment in the rare earths sector [3].

The strategic investments from Apple and the Pentagon have provided MP Materials with significant near-term price support and decades of tailwinds. The company's stock surge reflects investor confidence in its ability to secure domestic supply of critical materials, strengthen the U.S. rare-earth industry, and advance environmental progress through innovative recycling methods.

References:
[1] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mp-materials-stock-heads-for-a-new-high-whats-behind-apples-new-rare-earths-deal-acd9a9b0
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/15/us-pentagon-defense-department-rare-earth-critical-mineral-mp-materials.html
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/securing-future-mp-materials-quest-rare-earth-independence-2507/