Good move.
Now bring back our production.
The mine closed in 2002, in response to both environmental restrictions and lower prices for REEs. The mine remained inactive post 2002, though processing of previously mined ore continued at the site.
In 2008, Chevron sold the mine to privately held Molycorp Minerals LLC, a company formed to revive Mountain Pass.
In December 2010, Molycorp announced that it secured all the environmental permits needed to begin construction of Project Phoenix. Active mining at Mountain Pass recommenced in December of 2010, for the first time since 2002.
In January 2011, construction began on Phase 1 of the expansion and modernization of Mountain Pass’s facilities. Known as Project Phoenix, the redevelopment has transformed Mountain Pass and enabled environmentally superior, high volume production of rare earth materials, and it has established a new standard for the industry.
http://www.molycorp.com/about-us/our-facilities/molycorp-mountain-pass
Pretty amazing that tariffs aren’t necessary, huh?