Molycorp (MCPIQ) 10-Q 6 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 05, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Molycorp, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001489137	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	244,773,589
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$156,372	$314,317
Trade accounts receivable, net	47,031	61,757
Inventory (Note 4)	182,022	171,783
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,867	29,210
Total current assets	419,292	577,067
Non-current assets:	'	'
Deposits	25,698	25,997
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 5)	1,743,494	1,762,874
Inventory (Note 4)	25,934	25,329
Intangible assets, net	318,954	330,867
Investments	46,303	48,875
Goodwill	228,750	228,750
Other non-current assets	22,821	7,043
Total non-current assets	2,411,954	2,429,735
Total assets	2,831,246	3,006,802
Current liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	63,082	84,449
Accrued expenses	47,005	48,501
Debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	14,230	16,362
Other current liabilities	4,386	4,063
Total current liabilities	128,703	153,375
Non-current liabilities:	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	16,523	16,966
Deferred tax liabilities	78,424	85,481
Debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	1,378,669	1,363,916
Other non-current liabilities	10,256	10,002
Total non-current liabilities	1,483,872	1,476,365
Total liabilities	1,612,575	1,629,740
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2014 and 350,000,000 at December 31, 2013 (Note 8)	245	241
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 (Note 8)	0	2
Additional paid-in capital	2,207,938	2,194,405
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,412	-6,451
Accumulated deficit	-1,010,435	-840,474
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,190,336	1,347,723
Noncontrolling interests	28,335	29,339
Total stockholders’ equity	1,218,671	1,377,062
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,831,246	$3,006,802

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized	700,000,000	350,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	'	$0.00
Preferred stock, authorized	'	5,000,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$116,907	$136,112	$235,432	$281,511
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-113,399	-135,724	-238,872	-271,255
Depreciation and amortization	-20,079	-18,424	-36,226	-32,596
Gross loss	-16,571	-18,036	-39,666	-22,340
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	-20,424	-26,059	-38,379	-52,610
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-7,257	-8,278	-14,459	-16,488
Research and development	-4,483	-6,506	-7,249	-12,911
Operating loss	-48,735	-58,879	-99,753	-104,349
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	296	2,813	770	2,360
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-41,285	-14,869	-76,925	-26,518
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-89,724	-70,935	-175,908	-128,507
Income tax benefit	7,427	3,530	9,334	26,021
Equity in loss of affiliates	-1,553	-3,284	-3,275	-6,356
Net loss	-83,850	-70,689	-169,849	-108,842
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Net loss	-83,850	-70,689	-169,849	-108,842
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-109	662	-961	-2,632
Comprehensive loss	-83,959	-70,027	-170,810	-111,474
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	-83,910	-69,541	-170,698	-110,170
Noncontrolling interest	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Comprehensive loss	-83,959	-70,027	-170,810	-111,474
Loss per share of common stock (Note 9):	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Dividends on Convertible Preferred Stock	0	-2,846	-2,846	-5,693
Loss attributable to common stockholders	($83,899)	($74,021)	($172,807)	($115,839)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic	224,223,506	168,075,012	222,806,917	160,735,323
Basic earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	($0.37)	($0.44)	($0.78)	($0.72)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted	224,223,506	168,075,012	222,806,917	160,735,323
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: (in dollars per share)	($0.37)	($0.44)	($0.78)	($0.72)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Total Molycorp Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Common Stock	Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated deficit	Non controlling interests
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified				Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock				Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	$1,251,258	$1,216,046	$139	'	$2	'	$1,691,429	'	($9,433)	($466,091)	$35,212
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	138,773,538	'	2,070,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	794	794	0	'	'	'	794	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	1,156	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Component of 5.50% convertible debt	21,815	21,815	'	'	'	'	21,815	'	'	'	'
Deferred taxes on component of convertible debt	-8,508	-8,508	'	'	'	'	-8,508	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Exchangeable Shares (in shares)	'	'	13,483	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of shares (in shares)	'	'	2,358	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of shares	49	49	'	'	'	'	49	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Primary Shares	248,140	248,140	43	'	'	'	248,097	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Primary Shares (in shares)	'	'	43,125,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Borrowed Shares	7	7	7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Borrowed Shares (in shares)	'	'	6,666,666	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-108,842	-110,146	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-110,146	1,304
Preferred dividends	-5,693	-5,693	'	'	'	'	-5,693	'	'	'	'
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	-1,946	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,946
Other comprehensive loss	-2,632	-2,632	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,632	'	'
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2013	1,394,442	1,359,872	189	'	2	'	1,947,983	'	-12,065	-576,237	34,570
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2013	'	'	188,582,201	'	2,070,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	1,377,062	1,347,723	241	'	2	'	2,194,405	'	-6,451	-840,474	29,339
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	240,380,094	'	2,070,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,570	1,570	0	'	'	'	1,570	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	'	'	189,188	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Exchangeable Shares (in shares)	'	'	21,313	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of shares (in shares)	'	'	2,518	4,140,000	'	-2,070,000	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of shares	12	12	'	4	'	-2	12	-2	'	'	'
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Issued, Own-share Lending Arrangement, Issuance Costs	15,062	15,062	'	'	'	'	15,062	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-169,849	-169,961	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-169,961	112
Preferred dividends	-2,846	-2,846	'	'	'	'	-2,846	'	'	'	'
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	-1,135	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,135
Other comprehensive loss	-961	-961	'	'	'	'	'	'	-961	'	'
Other	-244	-263	'	'	'	'	-263	'	'	'	19
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2014	$1,218,671	$1,190,336	$245	'	$0	'	$2,207,938	'	($7,412)	($1,010,435)	$28,335
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014	'	'	244,733,113	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($169,849)	($108,842)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	50,685	49,399
Deferred income tax benefit	-14,712	-29,496
Inventory write-downs	36,863	47,958
Release of inventory step-up value	719	3,499
Stock-based compensation	2,288	794
Equity in results of affiliates	3,275	6,356
Other operating adjustments	4,396	-846
Net change in operating assets and liabilities (Note 14)	-31,913	-42,863
Net cash used in operating activities	-118,248	-74,041
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Investment in joint ventures	-703	-3,423
Capital expenditures	-44,687	-264,726
Recovery from insurance claims	12,900	0
Other investing activities	395	-224
Net cash used in investing activities	-32,095	-268,373
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	-3,079	-27,283
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	0	248,150
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	0	165,600
Payments of preferred dividends	-2,846	-5,693
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-1,135	-1,946
Other financing activities	164	-360
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-6,896	378,468
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-706	318
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-157,945	36,372
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	314,317	227,790
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	156,372	264,162
Non-cash financing activities and investing activities:	'	'
Change in accrued capital expenditures	($15,400)	($108,861)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act, and reflect all adjustments that are normal and recurring in nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows at June 30, 2014, and for all periods presented. While the December 31, 2013 balance sheet information was derived from our audited financial statements, for interim periods, GAAP and Regulation S-X do not require all information and related disclosures that are required in the annual financial statements and, as a result, all disclosures required by GAAP and Regulation S-X for annual financial statements have not been included in this report. Therefore, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2014.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Investments in joint ventures where we do not exert control, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accounted for under the equity method of investment. All other investments are accounted at cost.
	Nominal prior period revenues and expenses related to an asset disposal that we finalized in the first quarter of 2014 have been reclassified to "Other expense" in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. Such reclassifications did not affect our results of operations.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Significant estimates we made in the accompanying financial statements include the collectability of accounts receivable, the recoverability of inventory, the useful lives and recoverability of long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and investments, capital leases, uncertain tax positions, the realizability of deferred tax assets, and the adequacy of the asset retirement obligation.
	Significant Accounting Policies
	A summary of our significant accounting policies can be found in Item 8, Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2014.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of this new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:
	Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
	Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
	Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
	Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
	Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
	The new guidance also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. An entity will be required to disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. For calendar-year public entities, the new guidance is effective starting in 2017, and interim periods within that year. Early adoption is not permitted. An entity should apply the amendments in this update using one of the following two methods:
	1	Retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.
	2	Retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this update recognized at the date of initial application. If an entity elects this transition method, it also should provide the additional disclosures in reporting periods that include the date of initial application of:
	i.	The amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period by the application of this update as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change.
	ii.	An explanation of the reasons for significant changes.
	We are in the process of evaluating which of the two methods we will apply to adopt the amendments, and whether this new guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The amendments included in this update change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require new disclosures about disposals of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. The amendments also allow an entity to present a discontinued operation even when it has continuing cash flows and significant continuing involvement with the disposed component. Under the revised standard, a discontinued operation is defined as (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business or nonprofit activity (the entity to be sold) that is classified as held for sale on the date of the acquisition. A strategic shift could include the disposal of a major line of business, a major geographical area, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity. For calendar-year public entities, the amendments are effective starting in 2015, including interim periods within that year, and are to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The adoption of this updated guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Liquidity_and_Capital_Requirem

Liquidity and Capital Requirements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Capital Requirements [Abstract]	'
Liquidity and Capital Requirements	'
	Liquidity and Capital Requirements
	We expect to use our cash balances of $156.4 million as of June 30, 2014, as well as cash generated from operations in certain business units and available and planned financing to fund our capital expenditures, debt service and other cash requirements. Capital expenditures for our Mountain Pass facility are expected to total approximately $30.0 million for the remainder of 2014, including remaining payments for certain capital expenditures incurred as of June 30, 2014, and $30.0 million in 2015. Additionally, we expect to spend approximately $10.0 million for the remainder of 2014 and $30 million in 2015 on maintenance and expansion capital expenditures across all other business units.
	In August 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a commitment letter with Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (collectively with certain of its affiliates and funds under its management, "Oaktree") pursuant to which Oaktree agreed to provide to us and certain of our subsidiaries up to $400 million in secured financing through credit facilities and the sale and leaseback of certain equipment at our Mountain Pass facility, which is expected to provide additional funding for corporate, operating and capital expenditures. This proposed financing is subject to various conditions precedent. For more information, see Note 17 below.
	The amount of our cash requirements continues to be dependent on (i) the accuracy of our cost estimates for capital expenditures, (ii) our ability to ramp-up run rates at our Mountain Pass facility pursuant to our expectations without further delays, and to achieve lower cash costs of production as a result of further optimization of operations at our Mountain Pass facility, (iii) stable or improved market conditions, (iv) our ability to sell our production of rare earths to external customers and our downstream facilities (including our ability to sell our cerium through market acceptance of SorbX® or otherwise), (v) our ability to repatriate cash generated from our global operations, and (vi) the absence of payments on current and future contingent liabilities. If these assumptions prove inaccurate, our estimates could prove incorrect and we may need additional financing.
	As part of our cash management procedures, we continue to evaluate opportunities to reduce costs. Also, we have utilized and will continue to utilize lease financing for certain heavy mobile equipment and vehicles.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Our operations are organized into four reportable segments, each reflecting a unique combination of product lines and technologies: Resources, Chemicals and Oxides, Magnetic Materials and Alloys, and Rare Metals. The primary measurement we use to measure the financial performance of each reportable segment is OIBDA (Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion).
	Three months ended June 30, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	2,331		$	45,437		$	53,195		$	15,944					$	—		$	116,907
	Inter-segment	7,706			3,195			1,165			—						(12,066		)	—
	Total revenues	$	10,037		$	48,632		$	54,360		$	15,944					$	(12,066	)	$	116,907
	OIBDA	$	(30,298	)	$	4,836		$	11,812		$	740
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(17,009		)	(3,908		)	(4,261		)	(2,101		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(47,307	)	$	928		$	7,551		$	(1,361	)	$	(9,083	)	$	537		$	(48,735	)
	Other income																			296
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(41,285		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(89,724	)
	Three months ended June 30, 2013	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	10,922		$	34,789		$	66,114		$	24,287					$	—		$	136,112
	Inter-segment	6,665			6,692			—			—						(13,357		)	—
	Total revenues	$	17,587		$	41,481		$	66,114		$	24,287					$	(13,357	)	$	136,112
	OIBDA	$	(28,775	)	$	(9,585	)	$	18,060		$	(695	)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(11,629		)	(5,589		)	(7,422		)	(2,005		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(40,404	)	$	(15,174	)	$	10,638		$	(2,700	)	$	(9,953	)	$	(1,286	)	$	(58,879	)
	Other income																			2,813
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(14,869		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(70,935	)
	a.	Includes business development costs, personnel costs, stock-based compensation, accounting and legal fees, occupancy expense, information technology costs and interest expense.
	b.	Consist of inter-segment sales and gross profits eliminations as well as eliminations of lower of cost or market adjustments related to inter-segment inventory.
	Six months ended June 30, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	5,442		$	85,707		$	107,915		$	36,368					$	—		$	235,432
	Inter-segment	20,159			9,481			2,383			—						(32,023		)	—
	Total revenues	$	25,601		$	95,188		$	110,298		$	36,368					$	(32,023	)	$	235,432
	OIBDA	$	(66,742	)	$	8,136		$	25,489		$	671
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(30,101		)	(7,781		)	(8,498		)	(4,194		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(96,843	)	$	355		$	16,991		$	(3,523	)	$	(16,196	)	$	(537	)	$	(99,753	)
	Other income																			770
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(76,925		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(175,908	)
	Six months ended June 30, 2013	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	25,580		$	84,389		$	120,792		$	50,750					$	—		$	281,511
	Inter-segment	9,310			21,302			—			—						(30,612		)	—
	Total revenues	$	34,890		$	105,691		$	120,792		$	50,750					$	(30,612	)	$	281,511
	OIBDA	$	(59,847	)	$	(7,353	)	$	30,302		$	4,859
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(20,682		)	(11,127		)	(12,901		)	(4,258		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(80,529	)	$	(18,480	)	$	17,401		$	601		$	(21,518	)	$	(1,824	)	$	(104,349	)
	Other income																			2,360
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(26,518		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(128,507	)

Inventory

Inventory	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our inventory consisted of the following:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Concentrate stockpiles	$	90	$	24
	Raw materials	49,293		42,627
	Work in process	39,250		41,962
	Finished goods	70,817		65,662
	Materials and supplies	22,572		21,508
	Total current	$	182,022	$	171,783
	Long-term:
	Concentrate stockpiles	$	—	$	4
	Raw materials	25,934		25,325
	Total long-term	$	25,934	$	25,329
	The following table presents charges to costs of sales related to our assessment of normal production levels and write-downs of inventory:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Abnormal production costs expensed in the period (a)	$	17,562	$	25,518	$	42,546	$	47,494
	Write-down to the lower of cost or market (b)	19,359		21,374		35,520		41,100
	Write-downs of stockpile inventory (c)	132		4,458		1,342		6,858
	Total	$	37,053	$	51,350	$	79,408	$	95,452
	(a)	Relates to production costs that would have been inventoriable had we been operating at normal production levels. In all periods presented, the majority of these production costs related to the Resources segment.
	(b)	Due to the decline in some rare earths prices and low inventory turnover.
	(c)	Adjustments of the estimated REO content in the stockpile at the Resources segment.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n

Property, Plant and Equipment, net	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net
	We capitalized expenditures of $17.2 million and $29.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $77.4 million and $198.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The majority of these capital expenditures related to the expansion and modernization efforts, and certain other capital projects, at our Mountain Pass facility (Resources segment). Starting in 2014, we no longer capitalize interest because the construction of our Mountain Pass facility was substantially complete at the beginning of the year. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we capitalized interest of $19.3 million and $40.8 million, respectively. In prior periods, capitalized interest was added to "Construction in progress" until the asset was complete and ready for its intended use. Subsequently, capitalized interest was allocated to the pertinent asset class, such as "Land improvements", "Building and improvements" or "Plant and equipment", and amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. At June 30, 2014, "Construction in progress" included assets that were not yet ready for their intended use from a production capacity standpoint, as defined in our capital asset policy.
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	12,785		$	12,822
	Land improvements	304,372			327,029
	Buildings and improvements	572,269			418,510
	Plant and equipment	475,980			288,603
	Vehicles	2,969			2,986
	Computer software	12,449			12,424
	Furniture and fixtures	1,044			1,044
	Construction in progress (a)	453,744			755,107
	Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	15,658			15,658
	Mining equipment under capital lease	9,496			7,370
	Mineral properties	23,798			23,999
	Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,884,564			1,865,552
	Less accumulated depreciation	(141,070		)	(102,678		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,743,494		$	1,762,874
	(a)	Primarily related to expenditures at the Mountain Pass facility.
	Mineral properties and development costs, which are referred to collectively as mineral properties, include acquisition costs, drilling costs, and the cost of other development work associated with our Mountain Pass facility, all of which are capitalized.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'
	Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	The following table provides a summary of the current and non-current portions of our debt outstanding and capital lease obligations at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Current				Non-Current			Current				Non-Current
		(In thousands)
	Bank loans due May 2014 - September 2017	$	11,378			$	1,943		$	14,128			$	2,699
	3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	—				211,406			—				207,028
	6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	—				354,606			—				346,708
	5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017	—				2,209			—				2,493
	5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	—				150,760			—				148,198
	10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	—				638,148			—				637,435
	Total debt	11,378				1,359,072			14,128				1,344,561
	Capital lease obligations	2,852				19,597			2,234				19,355
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	14,230			$	1,378,669		$	16,362			$	1,363,916
	Weighted average interest rate on the bank loans was 3.41% and 3.59% at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Scheduled minimum debt repayments, excluding capital lease obligations, were as follows at June 30, 2014:
		June 30, 2014
	Debt maturities, excluding capital leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2014	10,648
	2015	1,431
	2016	230,814
	2017	416,621
	2018	172,500
	Thereafter	650,000
	Total	1,482,014
	As of June 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to our indebtedness, which are all affirmative in nature and contain customary "Change of control" provisions.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value for each of our Convertible Notes and our Senior Notes at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and provides the interest cost of each instrument for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		3.25% Convertible Notes						6.00% Convertible Notes							5.50% Convertible Notes						10% Senior Notes
		June 30,			December 31,			June 30,			December 31,				June 30,			December 31,			June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	230,000		$	230,000		$	414,000		$	414,000			$	172,500		172,500			$	650,000		$	650,000
	Unamortized debt discount	(18,594		)	(22,972		)	(59,394		)	(67,292		)		(21,740		)	(24,302		)	(11,852		)	(12,565		)
	Net carrying amount	$	211,406		$	207,028		$	354,606		$	346,708			$	150,760		148,198			$	638,148		$	637,435
	Interest cost (a)
		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		$	4,070		$	3,931		$	10,275		$	9,909			$	3,676		$	3,576		$	16,645		$	16,610
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		$	8,128		$	7,851		$	20,425		$	19,722			$	7,335		$	5,873		$	33,284		$	33,215
	(a) Interest cost includes the coupon interest, accretion of the initial equity component of the convertible notes (3.25% - $36,227; 6.00% - $68,695; and 5.50% - $21,815), accretion of the underwriting discounts and amortization of the issuance costs allocated to the liability component.
	Senior Secured Obligations
	The 10% Senior Notes are our senior secured obligations and are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries ("Guarantors"). The Senior Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest on substantially all of our property and assets and those of the Guarantors, subject to some exceptions for certain "Excluded Assets," such as:
	•	Leasehold interests in real property;
	•	Certain capital leases that constitute permitted liens;
	•	Certain motor vehicles;
	•	Assets owned by foreign subsidiaries or, subject to certain limitations, MMA;
	•	Assets with a fair market value of less than $15.0 million as to which the board of directors determine in good faith (and certify to the collateral agent) that the costs of obtaining or perfecting such security interest are excessive in relation to the practical benefit to the holder of the Notes of the security afforded thereby (based on the value of such asset);
	•	Cash collateral for letters of credit or hedging obligations (up to 105% of the underlying obligations);
	•	Certain deposit accounts;
	•	The equity interests of immaterial subsidiaries and, subject to certain limitations, MMA;
	•	Voting stock of foreign subsidiaries in excess of 65.0% of the voting stock; and
	•	Other pledges of stock of a guarantor to the extent that Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act would require the filing of separate financial statements of such guarantor.
	Capital Leases
	We lease certain mining and other equipment under agreements with various durations that have been determined to be capital leases. Those agreements contain purchase options at the end of the lease term and are generally at market interest rates.
	At June 30, 2014, total future minimum payments on our capital leases were as follows:
		June 30, 2014
	Capital Leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2014	3,834
	2015	7,667
	2016	7,667
	2017	6,550
	2018	5,160
Thereafter	17,789
Total	48,667

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Our effective income tax rate can vary significantly quarter-to-quarter for various reasons, including the mix and volume of business in lower tax jurisdictions, in jurisdictions with tax holidays and tax incentives, and in jurisdictions for which no deferred tax assets have been recognized because management believed it was not more likely than not that future taxable profit would be available against which tax losses and deductible temporary differences could be utilized. Our effective income tax rate can also vary due to the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, operating losses, changes in our provisions related to tax uncertainties, and changes in our assertion relating to indefinitely reinvesting undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, our effective tax rates were 8.3% and 5.3%, respectively, as compared to 5.0% and 20.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The June 30, 2014 effective tax rates were impacted primarily by the valuation allowance required in the United States. In addition, a $9.6 million discrete income tax benefit has been recognized during the second quarter of 2014 in the United States to offset the increase in deferred tax liabilities from an out-of-period adjustment related to the revised fair value of our share-lending arrangements described in Note 8 below.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had 244,864,035 and 240,380,138 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively. At December 31, 2013, we also had 2,070,000 shares of our 5.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Convertible Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding.
	On March 1, 2014, each share of our Convertible Preferred Stock automatically converted into two shares of our common stock based on the “maximum conversion rate”, as defined in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. As a result, we issued 4,140,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the automatic conversion of the 2,070,000 shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock. Also on March 1, 2014, we paid the final $2.8 million of the aggregate preferred dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock to holders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2014.
	Share-lending arrangements
	In August 2012, in order to facilitate the offering of our 6.00% Convertible Notes due September 2017, we entered into a share-lending arrangement with Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC (“MSCS”), an affiliate of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, under which we agreed to loan 13,800,000 shares of our common stock to MSCS (the “2012 Borrowed Shares”). In January 2013, in order to facilitate the offering of our 5.50% Convertible Notes due February 2018, we entered into another share-lending arrangement with MSCS, under which we agreed to loan 6,666,666 shares of our common stock (the “2013 Borrowed Shares”, and collectively with the 2012 Borrowed Shares, the “Borrowed Shares”). We received no proceeds and no collateral for the Borrowed Shares, but a nominal lending fee from MSCS for the use of these loaned shares. Given the aggregate lending fees, no further consideration was given to the accounting treatment of the share-lending arrangements. For corporate law purposes, the Borrowed Shares are issued and outstanding. However, based on certain contractual undertakings of MSCS in the share-lending arrangements that have the effect of substantially eliminating the economic dilution that otherwise would result from the issuance of the Borrowed Shares, these loaned shares are not considered outstanding for the purpose of computing and reporting our earnings per share. The Borrowed Shares are to be returned to Molycorp concurrently with the maturity of the related convertible notes.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the SEC issued Molycorp a comment letter with respect to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 regarding, among other things, the fair value measurement of our share-lending arrangements. In response to the SEC’s comment, we reconsidered our approach to determining the fair value of our share-lending arrangements and identified a methodology to estimate the long-term borrowing rate of our common stock, which we adjusted for the credit risk of the counterparty given that no collateral was provided to us that complied with ASC 470-20-25-20A. As a result of applying the methodology, management has determined that the fair value at the date of issuance of the 2012 Borrowed Shares and 2013 Borrowed Shares should have been approximately $18.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively. This amount should have been recognized in the financial statements as issuance costs associated with the issuance of the related convertible notes with an offset to additional paid-in capital.
	Because the adjustment, both individually and in the aggregate, was not material to any of the prior years’ financial statements, and the impact of correcting the errors was not material to the full year 2014 financial statements, we recorded the correction in the condensed consolidated financial statements in the second quarter of 2014. The out-of-period adjustment had the following impact on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as of June 30, 2014:
	Increase to balance sheet captions:	As of June 30, 2014
	Other non-current assets	$	16,381
	Property, plant and equipment, net	3,378
	Additional paid-in capital	15,062
	Increase to statements of operations and comprehensive loss captions:	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2014			June 30, 2014
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	$	4,933		$	4,933
	Income tax benefit	9,630			9,630
	The following table provides certain other information on our share-lending arrangements as of June 30, 2014:
		2012 Borrowed Shares			2013 Borrowed Shares			Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	7,957		$	4,450		$	12,407
	Unamortized issuance cost	11,546			4,835			16,381
	The methodology to fair value our share-lending arrangements consists of an option pricing model that we used to determine a synthetic cost of borrow of our common stock, which we then adjusted for an estimate of the counterparty credit risk. Inputs used in this approach include a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy. As of June 30, 2014, all of the Borrowed Shares we originally agreed to loan to MSCS are still outstanding, and the related unamortized issuance cost is included in "Other non-current assets" in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	The amount of non-cash interest cost recognized relating to the amortization of the issuance cost associated with the combined share-lending arrangements was as follows in 2014:
		Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2014			June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost expensed	$	4,933		$	4,933
	Interest cost capitalized	3,378			3,378
	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	The following table provides the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(6,638	)	$	187		$	(6,451	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(961		)	—			(961		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	(7,599	)	$	187		$	(7,412	)
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(8,261	)	$	(1,172	)	$	(9,433	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(2,632		)	—			(2,632		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	(10,893	)	$	(1,172	)	$	(12,065	)
	There were no items reclassified from AOCI during the interim periods presented above.

Loss_per_Share

Loss per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Loss per Share	'
	Loss per Share
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock were subtracted from net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders for the purpose of computing the basic and diluted earnings per share.
	Diluted earnings per share reflect the dilutive impact of potential common stock and unvested restricted shares of common stock in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, if dilutive. For this purpose, the “treasury stock method” and “if-converted method,” as applicable, are used. Under the treasury stock method, assumed proceeds upon the exercise of stock options are considered to be used to purchase common stock at the average market price of the shares during the period. Also under the treasury stock method, fixed awards and non-vested shares, such as restricted stock units, are deemed options for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share. At June 30, 2014 and 2013, all potential common stock under the treasury stock method were antidilutive in nature; consequently, we did not have any adjustments between earnings per share and diluted earnings per share related to stock options and restricted stock units. In applying the if-converted method, conversion is not assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share if the effect would be antidilutive. Convertible preferred stock is antidilutive whenever the amount of the dividend declared in or accumulated for the current period per common share obtainable on conversion, including the deemed dividend in the period from a beneficial conversion feature, exceeds basic earnings per share. Our Convertible Preferred Stock was antidilutive at June 30, 2014 and 2013. Also, under the if-converted method, convertible debt is antidilutive whenever its interest per common share obtainable on conversion, including any deemed interest from a beneficial conversion feature and nondiscretionary adjustments, net of tax, exceeds basic earnings per share. At June 30, 2014 and 2013, our convertible notes were all antidilutive.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The following tables summarize the stock-based awards with significant activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
	PBRSUs	Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Price
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	697,797		$	7.45
	Granted	744,540		$	4.99
	Forfeited	(4,343	)	5.88
	Vested	—		—
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	1,437,994		$	6.18
	RSUs	Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Price
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	1,076,385		$	9.81
	Granted	932,052		$	4.41
	Forfeited	(54,775	)	$	8.95
	Vested	(49,913	)	$	31.91
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	1,903,749		$	6.61

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	(a)	Future Operating Lease Commitments
	We lease certain office space, trailers and equipment pursuant to lease agreements that have been determined to be operating leases. Remaining annual minimum payments under these leases at June 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Operating lease obligations	$	6,491	$	2,400	$	2,621	$	602	$	868
	(b)	Purchase Commitments
	We entered into contractual commitments for the purchase of materials and services from various vendors, primarily in connection with the modernization and expansion efforts at our Mountain Pass facility. Future payments for all purchase commitments at June 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Purchase obligations and other commitment	$	142,252	$	142,252	$	—	$	—	$	—
	(c)	Labor Contract
	Certain of our employees at our Mountain Pass facility are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America that expires on March 15, 2015. At June 30, 2014, 258 employees, or approximately 58% of the workforce at our Mountain Pass facility, were covered by this collective bargaining agreement.
	At June 30, 2014, 168 employees, or approximately 30% of the workforce at our Molycorp Silmet facility, were unionized employees. The contract with the labor union in Estonia is automatically renewed each year unless either party desires to make an amendment. The contract was last amended in February 2012.
	(d)	Reclamation Surety Bonds
	At June 30, 2014, we had placed $28.8 million of surety bonds with California state and regional agencies to secure our Mountain Pass facility closure and reclamation obligations.
	(e)	Purported Class Action and Derivative Lawsuits
	In February 2012, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the Colorado Federal District Court against us and certain of our current and former executive officers alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The Consolidated Class Action Complaint filed on July 31, 2012 also names most of our Board members and some of our stockholders as defendants, along with other persons and entities. That Complaint alleges 18 claims for relief arising out of alleged: (1) securities fraud in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, during the proposed class period from February 11, 2011 through November 10, 2011; and (2) materially untrue or misleading statements in registration statements and prospectuses for our public offering of preferred stock in February 2011 and of common stock in June 2011, in violation of the Securities Act of 1933. Our motion to dismiss that Complaint was filed in October 2012 and is pending. We believe that this lawsuit is without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.
	Certain of our shareholders filed a consolidated stockholder derivative lawsuit purportedly on our behalf against us (as nominal defendant) and certain of our current and former directors, executive officers and shareholders in the Delaware Court of Chancery. A Consolidated Amended Stockholder Derivative Complaint was filed in August 2012. Pursuant to an order dated May 15, 2013, the Delaware Chancery Court stayed this derivative lawsuit pending the outcome of the Colorado class action lawsuit. On October 9, 2013, certain plaintiffs, purportedly on our behalf, filed a Motion to Lift the Stay and for Leave to File an Amended Complaint. Pursuant to a letter opinion dated May 12, 2014, the Delaware Chancery Court granted plaintiffs’ motion to file a second consolidated amended derivative complaint. In addition, the Delaware Chancery Court lifted the stay of the action. The plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Complaint on May 15, 2014, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment, but dropping claims for material misstatements and for trading on material, non-public information. The defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the Second Consolidated Amended Complaint on July 14, 2014. The plaintiffs’ answer brief is due to be filed on August 29, 2014, with defendants’ reply briefs due on September 26, 2014.
	Two additional shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed purportedly on our behalf against us (as nominal defendant) and certain of our current and former directors, executive officers and shareholders, in the Colorado Federal District Court. These lawsuits allege claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment based on events in 2011 and 2012. The Colorado Federal District Court dismissed these lawsuits. The plaintiffs filed an appeal of that ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the Tenth Circuit remanded these cases back to the Colorado Federal District Court. Subsequently, a different shareholder, purportedly on our behalf, filed a new shareholder derivative lawsuit in the Colorado Federal District Court alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment based on events during 2011 through 2013. The Colorado Federal District Court sua sponte consolidated this lawsuit with the remanded lawsuits. The plaintiff in the new derivative lawsuit filed a Motion to Vacate the consolidation order. On July 15, 2014, the Colorado Federal District Court ruled that, based on the Second Consolidated Amended Derivative Complaint filed in Delaware Chancery Court, the issues raised in the Colorado derivative cases were sufficiently distinct from the issues set forth in the Delaware derivative lawsuit, and reversed its original order dismissing the lawsuits. In its order, the Colorado Federal District Court left open the opportunity for the defendants to file a motion to stay the Colorado derivative lawsuits pending the resolution of the Colorado class action lawsuit. The Motion to Vacate the consolidation order remains pending.
	In August 2013, two purported class action lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and certain of our current and former executive officers, alleging violations of the federal securities laws. A Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint, filed on May 19, 2014, also names us and certain of our current and former executive officers. The Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint alleges claims for relief arising out of alleged securities fraud in violation of the Exchange Act, during a purported class period from February 21, 2012 through October 15, 2013. Our Motion to Dismiss the consolidated lawsuit is due to be filed on August 13, 2014. We believe that this lawsuit is without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.
	The class action and derivative lawsuits described above have not progressed to a point where a reasonably possible range of losses associated with their ultimate outcome can be estimated at this time. If the final resolution of any such litigation or proceedings is unfavorable, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially affected.

Concentrations

Concentrations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentrations	'
	Concentrations
	Resources Segment
	There were no significant sales by customer or by product at the Resources segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.
	Chemicals and Oxides Segment
	Sales of cerium products within the Chemicals and Oxides segment accounted for 11% and 7% of consolidated revenues in the second quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 10% and 11% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were no significant sales by customer in this segment in all interim periods indicated above.
	Magnetic Materials and Alloys Segment
	Sales of Neo Powders™ within the Magnetic Materials and Alloys segment, relative to consolidated revenues, were 44% and 41% for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 44% and 38% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Sales of Neo Powders™ to Daido Electronics, a subsidiary of one of IMJ’s shareholders, totaled $15.0 million and $14.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $27.2 million and $22.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had accounts receivable from Daido Electronics of $5.1 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
	Rare Metals Segment
	There were no significant sales by product or by customer at the Rare Metals segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related-Party Transactions	'
	Related-Party Transactions
	We supply Neo Powders™ to Daido Electronics, a subsidiary of one of IMJ’s shareholders, and to Toda Magnequench Magnetic Materials Co. Ltd. (“TMT”), an equity method investee of ours involved in the production of rare earth magnetic compounds. We also purchase magnetic compounds back from TMT in the normal course of business. Two other equity method investees, with whom we regularly buy and sell products, include Ganzhou Keli Rare Earth New Material Co., Ltd. (“Keli”), which processes rare earth oxides into metals for inclusion in our Neo Powders™, and Ingal Stade GmbH, which sells gallium to our rare metals facilities located in Canada and the United States. In addition, we provide rare metal recycling services to Plansee Holding AG, a privately held Austrian company that is wholly-owned by an Austrian trust, of which one of our Board's directors and other members of his family are beneficiaries.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, we purchased metals and received services from Keli for a total of $18.7 million and $35.6 million, respectively, as compared to $14.7 million and $24.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.
	Except for Daido Electronics, which is disclosed in Note 12, transactions with all other related parties were nominal in all interim periods indicated above.

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities	'
Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities	'
	Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities
	Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions, consisted of the following for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
	Trade accounts receivable	$	14,708		$	1,205
	Inventory	(48,213		)	23,176
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,764		)	519
	Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	(6,070		)	(21,167		)
	Income tax payable	684			494
	Interest payable	15,552			(27,689		)
	Asset retirement obligation	(1,196		)	(2,013		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,614		)	(17,388		)
		$	(31,913	)	$	(42,863	)

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	For assets and liabilities that are required under GAAP to be measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis, we refer to a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad levels:
	•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	•	Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
	Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		30-Jun-14
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)			Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	42,377	—		—			$	42,377
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	—		—		$	6,303		$	6,303
		31-Dec-13
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)			Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	179,052	—		—			$	179,052
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	—		—		$	6,089		$	6,089
	The financial assets classified in Level 1 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consist of money market funds valued based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The derivative liability relates to a share purchase agreement (“SPA”) between NMT Holding GmbH, our wholly-owned German subsidiary, and the shareholders of Buss & Buss, a majority-owned subsidiary of ours. The SPA includes a call and a put option on shares of the remaining shareholder and his legal successors. If the call option is exercised by us, a premium is added to the consideration to purchase the underlying shares in Buss & Buss. If the put option is exercised by the remaining shareholder of Buss & Buss or his legal successors, a discount will reduce the cost basis of the securities sold to us. We account for the put option at fair value with changes in fair value recognized currently in earnings. The change in fair value of the put option resulted in nominal unrealized gains and losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, which were recognized in "Interest expense" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The technique used to fair value the derivative liability classified in Level 3 is the income approach based on a discounted cash flow model.
	The following table presents the fair value of financial liabilities we reported at their carrying value at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		30-Jun-14					31-Dec-13
		Carrying Value		Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt
	3.25% Convertible Notes due June 2016	$	211,406	$	173,650		$	207,028		$	161,771
	6.00% Convertible Notes due September 2017	354,606		269,618			346,708			312,570
	5.50% Convertible Notes due February 2018	150,760		112,125			148,198			164,015
	10% Senior Notes due June 2020	638,148		603,558			637,435			646,750
	Total long-term debt	$	1,354,920	$	1,158,951		$	1,339,369		$	1,285,106
	The fair value of the financial liabilities listed above, which are all classified in Level 1, is based on the last available market trade of each reporting period. The Debentures are not actively traded, and the difference between their carrying value and fair value is impractical to estimate. The carrying amount of certain other financial instruments, such as trade accounts receivables, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and bank loans approximate fair value and, therefore, have been excluded from the table above.

Subsidiary_Guarantor_Financial

Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information	'
		Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information
	The Senior Notes are fully, unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed by all of Molycorp, Inc.'s 100% owned existing and future domestic material subsidiaries, as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes guarantee of a guarantor will automatically terminate, and the obligations of such guarantor under the Senior Notes guarantee will be unconditionally released and discharged, upon (all terms as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes):
	-1	any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of a majority of the capital stock of (including by way of consolidation or merger) such guarantor by Molycorp or any restricted subsidiary to any person or persons, as a result of which such guarantor is no longer a direct or indirect subsidiary of Molycorp;
	-2	any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all assets of such guarantor that results in such guarantor having no assets;
	-3	the designation by Molycorp of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary; or
	-4	defeasance or discharge of the Senior Notes;
	provided that any such event occurs in accordance with all other applicable provisions of the indenture.
	Presented below are the condensed consolidating financial statements of Molycorp, Inc. (“Parent”) as issuer, its combined guarantor subsidiaries and its combined non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are presented as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for the guarantors. The accounts of the Parent, the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting for investments in subsidiaries for purposes of these condensed consolidating financial statements only. Certain of the prior periods separate financial information has been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the most recent period herein disclosed.
		30-Jun-14
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	36,680		$	6,072		$	113,620		$	—		$	156,372
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			3,841			43,190			—			47,031
	Inventory	—			35,407			146,615			—			182,022
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			17,861			16,006			—			33,867
	Total current assets	36,680			63,181			319,431			—			419,292
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,755			23,943			—			—			25,698
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,606,889			136,605			—			1,743,494
	Inventory	—			25,934			—			—			25,934
	Intangible assets, net	—			409			318,545			—			318,954
	Investments	—			30,836			15,467			—			46,303
	Goodwill	—			—			228,750			—			228,750
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	409,155			120,163			—			(529,318		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,099,444			—			24,085			(2,123,529		)	—
	Other non-current assets	16,380			651			5,790			—			22,821
	Total non-current assets	2,526,734			1,808,825			729,242			(2,652,847		)	2,411,954
	Total assets	$	2,563,414		$	1,872,006		$	1,048,673		$	(2,652,847	)	$	2,831,246
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	32,202		$	30,880		$	—		$	63,082
	Accrued expenses	18,158			11,766			17,081			—			47,005
	Debt and capital lease obligations	—			2,852			11,378			—			14,230
	Other current liabilities	—			441			3,945			—			4,386
	Total current liabilities	18,158			47,261			63,284			—			128,703
	Non-current liabilities:
	Asset retirement obligation	—			16,523			—			—			16,523
	Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			78,424			—			78,424
	Debt and capital lease obligations	1,354,920			19,597			4,152			—			1,378,669
	Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,123,529			—			(2,123,529		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	—			1,401			8,855			—			10,256
	Total non-current liabilities	1,354,920			2,161,050			91,431			(2,123,529		)	1,483,872
	Total liabilities	$	1,373,078		$	2,208,311		$	154,715		$	(2,123,529	)	$	1,612,575
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	245			—			—			—			245
	Additional paid-in capital	2,207,938			149,857			1,315,426			(1,465,283		)	2,207,938
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,412		)	—			(7,412		)	7,412			(7,412		)
	Accumulated deficit	(1,010,435		)	(486,162		)	(442,391		)	928,553			(1,010,435		)
	Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,190,336			(336,305		)	865,623			(529,318		)	1,190,336
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			28,335			—			28,335
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,190,336			(336,305		)	893,958			(529,318		)	1,218,671
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,563,414		$	1,872,006		$	1,048,673		$	(2,652,847	)	$	2,831,246
		31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	169,145		$	6,467		$	138,705		$	—		$	314,317
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			4,990			56,767			—			61,757
	Inventory	—			32,307			139,476			—			171,783
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			15,833			13,377			—			29,210
	Total current assets	169,145			59,597			348,325			—			577,067
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,754			24,243			—			—			25,997
Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,620,851			142,023			—			1,762,874
Inventory	—			25,329			—			—			25,329
Intangible assets, net	—			442			330,425			—			330,867
Investments	—			34,134			14,741			—			48,875
Goodwill	—			—			228,750			—			228,750
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	532,767			121,849			—			(654,616		)	—
Intercompany accounts receivable	2,001,583			—			—			(2,001,583		)	—
Other non-current assets	—			771			6,272			—			7,043
Total non-current assets	2,536,104			1,827,619			722,211			(2,656,199		)	2,429,735
Total assets	$	2,705,249		$	1,887,216		$	1,070,536		$	(2,656,199	)	$	3,006,802
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	49,702		$	34,747		$	—		$	84,449
Accrued expenses	18,158			13,782			16,561			—			48,501
Debt and capital lease obligations	—			2,234			14,128			—			16,362
Other current liabilities	—			617			3,446			—			4,063
Total current liabilities	18,158			66,335			68,882			—			153,375
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	—			16,966			—			—			16,966
Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			85,481			—			85,481
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,339,368			19,355			5,193			—			1,363,916
Intercompany accounts payable	—			1,999,562			2,021			(2,001,583		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	—			1,393			8,609			—			10,002
Total non-current liabilities	1,339,368			2,037,276			101,304			(2,001,583		)	1,476,365
Total liabilities	$	1,357,526		$	2,103,611		$	170,186		$	(2,001,583	)	$	1,629,740
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	241			—			—			—			241
Preferred stock	2			—			—			—			2
Additional paid-in capital	2,194,405			149,857			1,315,426			(1,465,283		)	2,194,405
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,451		)	—			(6,451		)	6,451			(6,451		)
Accumulated deficit	(840,474		)	(366,252		)	(437,964		)	804,216			(840,474		)
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,347,723			(216,395		)	871,011			(654,616		)	1,347,723
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			29,339			—			29,339
Total stockholders’ equity	1,347,723			(216,395		)	900,350			(654,616		)	1,377,062
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,705,249		$	1,887,216		$	1,070,536		$	(2,656,199	)	$	3,006,802
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	12,009		$	113,319		$	(8,421	)	$	116,907
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(38,490		)	(83,330		)	8,421			(113,399		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(16,031		)	(4,048		)	—			(20,079		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(42,512		)	25,941			—			(16,571		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(153		)	(10,437		)	(9,834		)	—			(20,424		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,057		)	(6,200		)	—			(7,257		)
Research and development	—			(100		)	(4,383		)	—			(4,483		)
Operating (loss) income	(153		)	(54,106		)	5,524			—			(48,735		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income (expense)	15,149			196			(15,049		)	—			296
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(39,658		)	(1,190		)	(437		)	—			(41,285		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,434			(510		)	(9,924		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(79,301		)	(2,009		)	—			81,310			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(93,529		)	(57,619		)	(19,886		)	81,310			(89,724		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	9,630			—			(2,203		)	—			7,427
Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	—			(1,592		)	39			—			(1,553		)
Net loss	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,050		)	81,310			(83,850		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,099	)	$	81,310		$	(83,899	)
Net loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,050	)	$	81,310		$	(83,850	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(109		)	—			(109		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,110		)	81,310			(83,910		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	29,239		$	227,051		$	(20,858	)	$	235,432
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(91,869		)	(167,861		)	20,858			(238,872		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(28,158		)	(8,068		)	—			(36,226		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(90,788		)	51,122			—			(39,666		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(393		)	(18,595		)	(19,391		)	—			(38,379		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(2,102		)	(12,357		)	—			(14,459		)
Research and development	—			(243		)	(7,006		)	—			(7,249		)
Operating (loss) income	(393		)	(111,728		)	12,368			—			(99,753		)
Other (expense) income:
Other (expense) income	(3,122		)	212			3,680			—			770
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(74,214		)	(2,395		)	(316		)	—			(76,925		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	20,789			(1,014		)	(19,775		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(122,651		)	(1,686		)	—			124,337			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(179,591		)	(116,611		)	(4,043		)	124,337			(175,908		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	9,630			—			(296		)	—			9,334
Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	—			(3,299		)	24			—			(3,275		)
Net loss	(169,961		)	(119,910		)	(4,315		)	124,337			(169,849		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(112		)	—			(112		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(4,427	)	$	124,337		$	(169,961	)
Net loss	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(4,315	)	$	124,337		$	(169,849	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(961		)	—			(961		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(5,276	)	$	124,337		$	(170,810	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(169,961		)	(119,910		)	(5,164		)	124,337			(170,698		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(112		)	—			(112		)
	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(5,276	)	$	124,337		$	(170,810	)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	27,168		$	120,976		$	(12,032	)	$	136,112
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(46,363		)	(101,393		)	12,032			(135,724		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(11,757		)	(6,667		)	—			(18,424		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(30,952		)	12,916			—			(18,036		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	—			(16,488		)	(9,571		)	—			(26,059		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			48			(8,326		)	—			(8,278		)
Research and development	—			(1,431		)	(5,075		)	—			(6,506		)
Operating loss	—			(48,823		)	(10,056		)	—			(58,879		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income	—			244			2,569			—			2,813
Interest (expense) income, net of capitalized interest	(14,745		)	(2,236		)	2,112			—			(14,869		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,592			1,237			(9,829		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(65,022		)	(7,487		)	—			72,509			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(71,175		)	(57,065		)	(15,204		)	72,509			(70,935		)
Income tax (loss) benefit	—			(11,198		)	14,728			—			3,530
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(8,012		)	4,728			—			(3,284		)
Net loss	(71,175		)	(76,275		)	4,252			72,509			(70,689		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(486		)	—			(486		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	3,766		$	72,509		$	(71,175	)
Net loss	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,252		$	72,509		$	(70,689	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			662			—			662
Comprehensive loss	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,914		$	72,509		$	(70,027	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(71,175		)	(76,275		)	5,400			72,509			(69,541		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(486		)	—			(486		)
	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,914		$	72,509		$	(70,027	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	48,777		$	255,124		$	(22,390	)	$	281,511
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(91,692		)	(201,953		)	22,390			(271,255		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(19,187		)	(13,409		)	—			(32,596		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(62,102		)	39,762			—			(22,340		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	—			(33,504		)	(19,106		)	—			(52,610		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,661		)	(14,827		)	—			(16,488		)
Research and development	—			(3,391		)	(9,520		)	—			(12,911		)
Operating loss	—			(100,658		)	(3,691		)	—			(104,349		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income	—			243			2,117			—			2,360
Interest (expense) income, net	(25,885		)	(4,295		)	3,662			—			(26,518		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	18,244			2,881			(21,125		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(108,389		)	(6,409		)	—			114,798			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(116,030		)	(108,238		)	(19,037		)	114,798			(128,507		)
Income tax benefit	5,884			8,252			11,885			—			26,021
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(10,010		)	3,654			—			(6,356		)
Net loss	(110,146		)	(109,996		)	(3,498		)	114,798			(108,842		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,304		)	—			(1,304		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(4,802	)	$	114,798		$	(110,146	)
Net loss	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(3,498	)	$	114,798		$	(108,842	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(2,632		)	—			(2,632		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(6,130	)	$	114,798		$	(111,474	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(110,146		)	(109,996		)	(4,826		)	114,798			(110,170		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,304		)	—			(1,304		)
	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(6,130	)	$	114,798		$	(111,474	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(36,253	)	$	(71,050	)	$	(10,945	)	$	—		$	(118,248	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	(141,366		)	—			—			141,366			—
Repayments from non-guarantor	48,000			—			—			(48,000		)	—
Investment in joint ventures	—			—			(703		)	—			(703		)
Capital expenditures	—			(40,928		)	(3,759		)	—			(44,687		)
Recovery from insurance claims	—			12,900			—			—			12,900
Other investing activities	—			—			395			—			395
Net cash used in investing activities	(93,366		)	(28,028		)	(4,067		)	93,366			(32,095		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	—			—			(3,079		)	—			(3,079		)
Payments of preferred dividends	(2,846		)	—			—			—			(2,846		)
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,135		)	—			(1,135		)
Repayments to parent	—			—			(48,000		)	48,000			—
Intercompany advances owed	—			97,822			43,544			(141,366		)	—
Other financing activities	—			861			(697		)	—			164
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,846		)	98,683			(9,367		)	(93,366		)	(6,896		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(706		)	—			(706		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(132,465		)	(395		)	(25,085		)	—			(157,945		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	169,145			6,467			138,705			—			314,317
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	36,680		$	6,072		$	113,620		$	—		$	156,372
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,972	)	$	(93,855	)	$	21,786		$	—		$	(74,041	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Loans to guarantor	—			—			(40,000		)	40,000			—
Intercompany advances made	(318,835		)	—			—			318,835			—
Loans to non-guarantor	—			(1,300		)	—			1,300			—
Repayments from non-guarantor	10,000			—			—			(10,000		)	—
Investment in joint ventures	—			(3,423		)	—			—			(3,423		)
Capital expenditures	—			(255,989		)	(8,737		)	—			(264,726		)
Other investing activities	—			—			(224		)	—			(224		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(308,835		)	(260,712		)	(48,961		)	350,135			(268,373		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	—			—			(27,283		)	—			(27,283		)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	248,150			—			—			—			248,150
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	165,600			—			—			—			165,600
Payments of preferred dividends	(5,693		)	—			—			—			(5,693		)
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,946		)	—			(1,946		)
Borrowings from non-guarantor	—			40,000			—			(40,000		)	—
Borrowing from guarantor	—			—			1,300			(1,300		)	—
Repayments to parent	—			—			(10,000		)	10,000			—
Intercompany advances owed	—			303,659			15,176			(318,835		)	—
Other financing activities	—			(360		)	—			—			(360		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	408,057			343,299			(22,753		)	(350,135		)	378,468
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			318			—			318
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	97,250			(11,268		)	(49,610		)	—			36,372
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	16,560			18,020			193,210			—			227,790
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	113,810		$	6,752		$	143,600		$	—		$	264,162

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	In August 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a commitment letter with Oaktree pursuant to which Oaktree will provide to us and certain of our subsidiaries up to $400 million in secured financing through credit facilities and the sale and leaseback of certain equipment at our Mountain Pass facility (the "Financings"). $250 million of the Financings will be available to be borrowed at the closing of the Financings, with the remaining $150 million available until April 30, 2016 if we satisfy mutually agreed financial and operational conditions. The Financings will be secured by certain of our assets and certain assets of our subsidiaries, will also be guaranteed by most of our subsidiaries, and will mature in 5 years, subject to certain springing maturity dates dependent on our repayment of certain outstanding debt, beginning with April 30, 2016. In connection with the Financings, we will issue to Oaktree warrants to purchase shares of our common stock equal to 10% of our outstanding common stock as of the closing of the Financings. The Financings are subject to various conditions precedent, including the accuracy of our representations and warranties, absence of material adverse events in our business and operations, and the negotiation of mutually acceptable definitive documentation.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act, and reflect all adjustments that are normal and recurring in nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows at June 30, 2014, and for all periods presented. While the December 31, 2013 balance sheet information was derived from our audited financial statements, for interim periods, GAAP and Regulation S-X do not require all information and related disclosures that are required in the annual financial statements and, as a result, all disclosures required by GAAP and Regulation S-X for annual financial statements have not been included in this report. Therefore, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2014.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Investments in joint ventures where we do not exert control, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accounted for under the equity method of investment. All other investments are accounted at cost.
	Nominal prior period revenues and expenses related to an asset disposal that we finalized in the first quarter of 2014 have been reclassified to "Other expense" in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. Such reclassifications did not affect our results of operations.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Significant estimates we made in the accompanying financial statements include the collectability of accounts receivable, the recoverability of inventory, the useful lives and recoverability of long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and investments, capital leases, uncertain tax positions, the realizability of deferred tax assets, and the adequacy of the asset retirement obligation.
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	A summary of our significant accounting policies can be found in Item 8, Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2014.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of this new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:
	Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
	Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
	Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
	Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
	Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
	The new guidance also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. An entity will be required to disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. For calendar-year public entities, the new guidance is effective starting in 2017, and interim periods within that year. Early adoption is not permitted. An entity should apply the amendments in this update using one of the following two methods:
	1	Retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.
	2	Retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this update recognized at the date of initial application. If an entity elects this transition method, it also should provide the additional disclosures in reporting periods that include the date of initial application of:
	i.	The amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period by the application of this update as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change.
	ii.	An explanation of the reasons for significant changes.
	We are in the process of evaluating which of the two methods we will apply to adopt the amendments, and whether this new guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The amendments included in this update change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and require new disclosures about disposals of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. The amendments also allow an entity to present a discontinued operation even when it has continuing cash flows and significant continuing involvement with the disposed component. Under the revised standard, a discontinued operation is defined as (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results or (ii) an acquired business or nonprofit activity (the entity to be sold) that is classified as held for sale on the date of the acquisition. A strategic shift could include the disposal of a major line of business, a major geographical area, a major equity method investment or other major parts of an entity. For calendar-year public entities, the amendments are effective starting in 2015, including interim periods within that year, and are to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The adoption of this updated guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of segment information	'
	Three months ended June 30, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	2,331		$	45,437		$	53,195		$	15,944					$	—		$	116,907
	Inter-segment	7,706			3,195			1,165			—						(12,066		)	—
	Total revenues	$	10,037		$	48,632		$	54,360		$	15,944					$	(12,066	)	$	116,907
	OIBDA	$	(30,298	)	$	4,836		$	11,812		$	740
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(17,009		)	(3,908		)	(4,261		)	(2,101		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(47,307	)	$	928		$	7,551		$	(1,361	)	$	(9,083	)	$	537		$	(48,735	)
	Other income																			296
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(41,285		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(89,724	)
	Three months ended June 30, 2013	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	10,922		$	34,789		$	66,114		$	24,287					$	—		$	136,112
	Inter-segment	6,665			6,692			—			—						(13,357		)	—
	Total revenues	$	17,587		$	41,481		$	66,114		$	24,287					$	(13,357	)	$	136,112
	OIBDA	$	(28,775	)	$	(9,585	)	$	18,060		$	(695	)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(11,629		)	(5,589		)	(7,422		)	(2,005		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(40,404	)	$	(15,174	)	$	10,638		$	(2,700	)	$	(9,953	)	$	(1,286	)	$	(58,879	)
	Other income																			2,813
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(14,869		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(70,935	)
	a.	Includes business development costs, personnel costs, stock-based compensation, accounting and legal fees, occupancy expense, information technology costs and interest expense.
	b.	Consist of inter-segment sales and gross profits eliminations as well as eliminations of lower of cost or market adjustments related to inter-segment inventory.
	Six months ended June 30, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	5,442		$	85,707		$	107,915		$	36,368					$	—		$	235,432
	Inter-segment	20,159			9,481			2,383			—						(32,023		)	—
	Total revenues	$	25,601		$	95,188		$	110,298		$	36,368					$	(32,023	)	$	235,432
	OIBDA	$	(66,742	)	$	8,136		$	25,489		$	671
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(30,101		)	(7,781		)	(8,498		)	(4,194		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(96,843	)	$	355		$	16,991		$	(3,523	)	$	(16,196	)	$	(537	)	$	(99,753	)
	Other income																			770
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(76,925		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(175,908	)
	Six months ended June 30, 2013	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	25,580		$	84,389		$	120,792		$	50,750					$	—		$	281,511
	Inter-segment	9,310			21,302			—			—						(30,612		)	—
	Total revenues	$	34,890		$	105,691		$	120,792		$	50,750					$	(30,612	)	$	281,511
	OIBDA	$	(59,847	)	$	(7,353	)	$	30,302		$	4,859
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(20,682		)	(11,127		)	(12,901		)	(4,258		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(80,529	)	$	(18,480	)	$	17,401		$	601		$	(21,518	)	$	(1,824	)	$	(104,349	)
	Other income																			2,360
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																			(26,518		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(128,507	)

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of inventory	'
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our inventory consisted of the following:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Concentrate stockpiles	$	90	$	24
	Raw materials	49,293		42,627
	Work in process	39,250		41,962
	Finished goods	70,817		65,662
	Materials and supplies	22,572		21,508
	Total current	$	182,022	$	171,783
	Long-term:
	Concentrate stockpiles	$	—	$	4
	Raw materials	25,934		25,325
	Total long-term	$	25,934	$	25,329
Schedule of charges to cost of sales based on normal production levels and write-down of inventory	'
	The following table presents charges to costs of sales related to our assessment of normal production levels and write-downs of inventory:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Abnormal production costs expensed in the period (a)	$	17,562	$	25,518	$	42,546	$	47,494
	Write-down to the lower of cost or market (b)	19,359		21,374		35,520		41,100
	Write-downs of stockpile inventory (c)	132		4,458		1,342		6,858
	Total	$	37,053	$	51,350	$	79,408	$	95,452
	(a)	Relates to production costs that would have been inventoriable had we been operating at normal production levels. In all periods presented, the majority of these production costs related to the Resources segment.
	(b)	Due to the decline in some rare earths prices and low inventory turnover.
	(c)	Adjustments of the estimated REO content in the stockpile at the Resources segment.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n1

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	'
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	12,785		$	12,822
	Land improvements	304,372			327,029
	Buildings and improvements	572,269			418,510
	Plant and equipment	475,980			288,603
	Vehicles	2,969			2,986
	Computer software	12,449			12,424
	Furniture and fixtures	1,044			1,044
	Construction in progress (a)	453,744			755,107
	Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	15,658			15,658
	Mining equipment under capital lease	9,496			7,370
	Mineral properties	23,798			23,999
	Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,884,564			1,865,552
	Less accumulated depreciation	(141,070		)	(102,678		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,743,494		$	1,762,874
	(a)	Primarily related to expenditures at the Mountain Pass facility.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'
	The following table provides a summary of the current and non-current portions of our debt outstanding and capital lease obligations at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Current				Non-Current			Current				Non-Current
		(In thousands)
	Bank loans due May 2014 - September 2017	$	11,378			$	1,943		$	14,128			$	2,699
	3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	—				211,406			—				207,028
	6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	—				354,606			—				346,708
	5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017	—				2,209			—				2,493
	5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	—				150,760			—				148,198
	10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	—				638,148			—				637,435
	Total debt	11,378				1,359,072			14,128				1,344,561
	Capital lease obligations	2,852				19,597			2,234				19,355
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	14,230			$	1,378,669		$	16,362			$	1,363,916
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	Scheduled minimum debt repayments, excluding capital lease obligations, were as follows at June 30, 2014:
		June 30, 2014
	Debt maturities, excluding capital leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2014	10,648
	2015	1,431
	2016	230,814
	2017	416,621
	2018	172,500
	Thereafter	650,000
	Total	1,482,014
	As of June 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to our indebtedness, which are all affirmative in nature and contain customary "Change of control" provisions.
Schedule of Long-term Debt Conversions	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value for each of our Convertible Notes and our Senior Notes at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and provides the interest cost of each instrument for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		3.25% Convertible Notes						6.00% Convertible Notes							5.50% Convertible Notes						10% Senior Notes
		June 30,			December 31,			June 30,			December 31,				June 30,			December 31,			June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	230,000		$	230,000		$	414,000		$	414,000			$	172,500		172,500			$	650,000		$	650,000
	Unamortized debt discount	(18,594		)	(22,972		)	(59,394		)	(67,292		)		(21,740		)	(24,302		)	(11,852		)	(12,565		)
	Net carrying amount	$	211,406		$	207,028		$	354,606		$	346,708			$	150,760		148,198			$	638,148		$	637,435
	Interest cost (a)
		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		$	4,070		$	3,931		$	10,275		$	9,909			$	3,676		$	3,576		$	16,645		$	16,610
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013			2014			2013
		$	8,128		$	7,851		$	20,425		$	19,722			$	7,335		$	5,873		$	33,284		$	33,215
	(a) Interest cost includes the coupon interest, accretion of the initial equity component of the convertible notes (3.25% - $36,227; 6.00% - $68,695; and 5.50% - $21,815), accretion of the underwriting discounts and amortization of the issuance costs allocated to the liability component.
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	'
	At June 30, 2014, total future minimum payments on our capital leases were as follows:
		June 30, 2014
	Capital Leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2014	3,834
	2015	7,667
	2016	7,667
	2017	6,550
	2018	5,160
	Thereafter	17,789
	Total	48,667

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections	'
	The out-of-period adjustment had the following impact on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as of June 30, 2014:
	Increase to balance sheet captions:	As of June 30, 2014
	Other non-current assets	$	16,381
	Property, plant and equipment, net	3,378
	Additional paid-in capital	15,062
	Increase to statements of operations and comprehensive loss captions:	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2014			June 30, 2014
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	$	4,933		$	4,933
	Income tax benefit	9,630			9,630
Schedule of Share-Lending Arrangements	'
	The following table provides certain other information on our share-lending arrangements as of June 30, 2014:
		2012 Borrowed Shares			2013 Borrowed Shares			Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	7,957		$	4,450		$	12,407
	Unamortized issuance cost	11,546			4,835			16,381
Deferred Finance Costs, Own-share Lending Arrangement, Issuance Costs	'
	The amount of non-cash interest cost recognized relating to the amortization of the issuance cost associated with the combined share-lending arrangements was as follows in 2014:
		Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2014			June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost expensed	$	4,933		$	4,933
	Interest cost capitalized	3,378			3,378
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table provides the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(6,638	)	$	187		$	(6,451	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(961		)	—			(961		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	(7,599	)	$	187		$	(7,412	)
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(8,261	)	$	(1,172	)	$	(9,433	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(2,632		)	—			(2,632		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	(10,893	)	$	(1,172	)	$	(12,065	)

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
PBRSUs	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	'
	The following tables summarize the stock-based awards with significant activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
	PBRSUs	Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Price
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	697,797		$	7.45
	Granted	744,540		$	4.99
	Forfeited	(4,343	)	5.88
	Vested	—		—
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	1,437,994		$	6.18
RSUs	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	'
	RSUs	Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Price
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	1,076,385		$	9.81
	Granted	932,052		$	4.41
	Forfeited	(54,775	)	$	8.95
	Vested	(49,913	)	$	31.91
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	1,903,749		$	6.61

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases	'
	Remaining annual minimum payments under these leases at June 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Operating lease obligations	$	6,491	$	2,400	$	2,621	$	602	$	868
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule	'
	Future payments for all purchase commitments at June 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Purchase obligations and other commitment	$	142,252	$	142,252	$	—	$	—	$	—

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets1

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities	'
Schedule of changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions	'
	Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions, consisted of the following for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
	Trade accounts receivable	$	14,708		$	1,205
	Inventory	(48,213		)	23,176
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,764		)	519
	Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	(6,070		)	(21,167		)
	Income tax payable	684			494
	Interest payable	15,552			(27,689		)
	Asset retirement obligation	(1,196		)	(2,013		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,614		)	(17,388		)
		$	(31,913	)	$	(42,863	)

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring	'
	Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		30-Jun-14
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)			Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	42,377	—		—			$	42,377
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	—		—		$	6,303		$	6,303
		31-Dec-13
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)			Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	179,052	—		—			$	179,052
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liability	—		—		$	6,089		$	6,089
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	'
	The following table presents the fair value of financial liabilities we reported at their carrying value at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		30-Jun-14					31-Dec-13
		Carrying Value		Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt
	3.25% Convertible Notes due June 2016	$	211,406	$	173,650		$	207,028		$	161,771
	6.00% Convertible Notes due September 2017	354,606		269,618			346,708			312,570
	5.50% Convertible Notes due February 2018	150,760		112,125			148,198			164,015
	10% Senior Notes due June 2020	638,148		603,558			637,435			646,750
	Total long-term debt	$	1,354,920	$	1,158,951		$	1,339,369		$	1,285,106

Subsidiary_Guarantor_Financial1

Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet	'
		30-Jun-14
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	36,680		$	6,072		$	113,620		$	—		$	156,372
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			3,841			43,190			—			47,031
	Inventory	—			35,407			146,615			—			182,022
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			17,861			16,006			—			33,867
	Total current assets	36,680			63,181			319,431			—			419,292
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,755			23,943			—			—			25,698
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,606,889			136,605			—			1,743,494
	Inventory	—			25,934			—			—			25,934
	Intangible assets, net	—			409			318,545			—			318,954
	Investments	—			30,836			15,467			—			46,303
	Goodwill	—			—			228,750			—			228,750
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	409,155			120,163			—			(529,318		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,099,444			—			24,085			(2,123,529		)	—
	Other non-current assets	16,380			651			5,790			—			22,821
	Total non-current assets	2,526,734			1,808,825			729,242			(2,652,847		)	2,411,954
	Total assets	$	2,563,414		$	1,872,006		$	1,048,673		$	(2,652,847	)	$	2,831,246
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	32,202		$	30,880		$	—		$	63,082
	Accrued expenses	18,158			11,766			17,081			—			47,005
	Debt and capital lease obligations	—			2,852			11,378			—			14,230
	Other current liabilities	—			441			3,945			—			4,386
	Total current liabilities	18,158			47,261			63,284			—			128,703
	Non-current liabilities:
	Asset retirement obligation	—			16,523			—			—			16,523
	Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			78,424			—			78,424
	Debt and capital lease obligations	1,354,920			19,597			4,152			—			1,378,669
	Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,123,529			—			(2,123,529		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	—			1,401			8,855			—			10,256
	Total non-current liabilities	1,354,920			2,161,050			91,431			(2,123,529		)	1,483,872
	Total liabilities	$	1,373,078		$	2,208,311		$	154,715		$	(2,123,529	)	$	1,612,575
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	245			—			—			—			245
	Additional paid-in capital	2,207,938			149,857			1,315,426			(1,465,283		)	2,207,938
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,412		)	—			(7,412		)	7,412			(7,412		)
	Accumulated deficit	(1,010,435		)	(486,162		)	(442,391		)	928,553			(1,010,435		)
	Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,190,336			(336,305		)	865,623			(529,318		)	1,190,336
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			28,335			—			28,335
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,190,336			(336,305		)	893,958			(529,318		)	1,218,671
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,563,414		$	1,872,006		$	1,048,673		$	(2,652,847	)	$	2,831,246
		31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	169,145		$	6,467		$	138,705		$	—		$	314,317
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			4,990			56,767			—			61,757
	Inventory	—			32,307			139,476			—			171,783
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			15,833			13,377			—			29,210
	Total current assets	169,145			59,597			348,325			—			577,067
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,754			24,243			—			—			25,997
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,620,851			142,023			—			1,762,874
	Inventory	—			25,329			—			—			25,329
	Intangible assets, net	—			442			330,425			—			330,867
	Investments	—			34,134			14,741			—			48,875
	Goodwill	—			—			228,750			—			228,750
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	532,767			121,849			—			(654,616		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,001,583			—			—			(2,001,583		)	—
	Other non-current assets	—			771			6,272			—			7,043
Total non-current assets	2,536,104			1,827,619			722,211			(2,656,199		)	2,429,735
Total assets	$	2,705,249		$	1,887,216		$	1,070,536		$	(2,656,199	)	$	3,006,802
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	49,702		$	34,747		$	—		$	84,449
Accrued expenses	18,158			13,782			16,561			—			48,501
Debt and capital lease obligations	—			2,234			14,128			—			16,362
Other current liabilities	—			617			3,446			—			4,063
Total current liabilities	18,158			66,335			68,882			—			153,375
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	—			16,966			—			—			16,966
Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			85,481			—			85,481
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,339,368			19,355			5,193			—			1,363,916
Intercompany accounts payable	—			1,999,562			2,021			(2,001,583		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	—			1,393			8,609			—			10,002
Total non-current liabilities	1,339,368			2,037,276			101,304			(2,001,583		)	1,476,365
Total liabilities	$	1,357,526		$	2,103,611		$	170,186		$	(2,001,583	)	$	1,629,740
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	241			—			—			—			241
Preferred stock	2			—			—			—			2
Additional paid-in capital	2,194,405			149,857			1,315,426			(1,465,283		)	2,194,405
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,451		)	—			(6,451		)	6,451			(6,451		)
Accumulated deficit	(840,474		)	(366,252		)	(437,964		)	804,216			(840,474		)
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,347,723			(216,395		)	871,011			(654,616		)	1,347,723
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			29,339			—			29,339
Total stockholders’ equity	1,347,723			(216,395		)	900,350			(654,616		)	1,377,062
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,705,249		$	1,887,216		$	1,070,536		$	(2,656,199	)	$	3,006,802
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	12,009		$	113,319		$	(8,421	)	$	116,907
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(38,490		)	(83,330		)	8,421			(113,399		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(16,031		)	(4,048		)	—			(20,079		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(42,512		)	25,941			—			(16,571		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(153		)	(10,437		)	(9,834		)	—			(20,424		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,057		)	(6,200		)	—			(7,257		)
Research and development	—			(100		)	(4,383		)	—			(4,483		)
Operating (loss) income	(153		)	(54,106		)	5,524			—			(48,735		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income (expense)	15,149			196			(15,049		)	—			296
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(39,658		)	(1,190		)	(437		)	—			(41,285		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,434			(510		)	(9,924		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(79,301		)	(2,009		)	—			81,310			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(93,529		)	(57,619		)	(19,886		)	81,310			(89,724		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	9,630			—			(2,203		)	—			7,427
Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	—			(1,592		)	39			—			(1,553		)
Net loss	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,050		)	81,310			(83,850		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,099	)	$	81,310		$	(83,899	)
Net loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,050	)	$	81,310		$	(83,850	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(109		)	—			(109		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,110		)	81,310			(83,910		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement and Comprehensive Income	'
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	12,009		$	113,319		$	(8,421	)	$	116,907
	Costs of sales:
	Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(38,490		)	(83,330		)	8,421			(113,399		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(16,031		)	(4,048		)	—			(20,079		)
	Gross (loss) profit	—			(42,512		)	25,941			—			(16,571		)
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative	(153		)	(10,437		)	(9,834		)	—			(20,424		)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,057		)	(6,200		)	—			(7,257		)
	Research and development	—			(100		)	(4,383		)	—			(4,483		)
	Operating (loss) income	(153		)	(54,106		)	5,524			—			(48,735		)
	Other (expense) income:
	Other income (expense)	15,149			196			(15,049		)	—			296
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(39,658		)	(1,190		)	(437		)	—			(41,285		)
	Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,434			(510		)	(9,924		)	—			—
	Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(79,301		)	(2,009		)	—			81,310			—
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(93,529		)	(57,619		)	(19,886		)	81,310			(89,724		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	9,630			—			(2,203		)	—			7,427
	Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	—			(1,592		)	39			—			(1,553		)
	Net loss	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,050		)	81,310			(83,850		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
	Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,099	)	$	81,310		$	(83,899	)
	Net loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,050	)	$	81,310		$	(83,850	)
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(109		)	—			(109		)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to:
	Molycorp stockholders	(83,899		)	(59,211		)	(22,110		)	81,310			(83,910		)
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(49		)	—			(49		)
		$	(83,899	)	$	(59,211	)	$	(22,159	)	$	81,310		$	(83,959	)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	29,239		$	227,051		$	(20,858	)	$	235,432
	Costs of sales:
	Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(91,869		)	(167,861		)	20,858			(238,872		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(28,158		)	(8,068		)	—			(36,226		)
	Gross (loss) profit	—			(90,788		)	51,122			—			(39,666		)
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative	(393		)	(18,595		)	(19,391		)	—			(38,379		)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(2,102		)	(12,357		)	—			(14,459		)
	Research and development	—			(243		)	(7,006		)	—			(7,249		)
	Operating (loss) income	(393		)	(111,728		)	12,368			—			(99,753		)
	Other (expense) income:
	Other (expense) income	(3,122		)	212			3,680			—			770
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(74,214		)	(2,395		)	(316		)	—			(76,925		)
	Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	20,789			(1,014		)	(19,775		)	—			—
	Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(122,651		)	(1,686		)	—			124,337			—
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(179,591		)	(116,611		)	(4,043		)	124,337			(175,908		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	9,630			—			(296		)	—			9,334
	Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	—			(3,299		)	24			—			(3,275		)
	Net loss	(169,961		)	(119,910		)	(4,315		)	124,337			(169,849		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(112		)	—			(112		)
	Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(4,427	)	$	124,337		$	(169,961	)
	Net loss	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(4,315	)	$	124,337		$	(169,849	)
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(961		)	—			(961		)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(5,276	)	$	124,337		$	(170,810	)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to:
	Molycorp stockholders	(169,961		)	(119,910		)	(5,164		)	124,337			(170,698		)
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(112		)	—			(112		)
	$	(169,961	)	$	(119,910	)	$	(5,276	)	$	124,337		$	(170,810	)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	27,168		$	120,976		$	(12,032	)	$	136,112
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(46,363		)	(101,393		)	12,032			(135,724		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(11,757		)	(6,667		)	—			(18,424		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(30,952		)	12,916			—			(18,036		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	—			(16,488		)	(9,571		)	—			(26,059		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			48			(8,326		)	—			(8,278		)
Research and development	—			(1,431		)	(5,075		)	—			(6,506		)
Operating loss	—			(48,823		)	(10,056		)	—			(58,879		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income	—			244			2,569			—			2,813
Interest (expense) income, net of capitalized interest	(14,745		)	(2,236		)	2,112			—			(14,869		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,592			1,237			(9,829		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(65,022		)	(7,487		)	—			72,509			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(71,175		)	(57,065		)	(15,204		)	72,509			(70,935		)
Income tax (loss) benefit	—			(11,198		)	14,728			—			3,530
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(8,012		)	4,728			—			(3,284		)
Net loss	(71,175		)	(76,275		)	4,252			72,509			(70,689		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(486		)	—			(486		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	3,766		$	72,509		$	(71,175	)
Net loss	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,252		$	72,509		$	(70,689	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			662			—			662
Comprehensive loss	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,914		$	72,509		$	(70,027	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(71,175		)	(76,275		)	5,400			72,509			(69,541		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(486		)	—			(486		)
	$	(71,175	)	$	(76,275	)	$	4,914		$	72,509		$	(70,027	)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	48,777		$	255,124		$	(22,390	)	$	281,511
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(91,692		)	(201,953		)	22,390			(271,255		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(19,187		)	(13,409		)	—			(32,596		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(62,102		)	39,762			—			(22,340		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	—			(33,504		)	(19,106		)	—			(52,610		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,661		)	(14,827		)	—			(16,488		)
Research and development	—			(3,391		)	(9,520		)	—			(12,911		)
Operating loss	—			(100,658		)	(3,691		)	—			(104,349		)
Other (expense) income:
Other income	—			243			2,117			—			2,360
Interest (expense) income, net	(25,885		)	(4,295		)	3,662			—			(26,518		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	18,244			2,881			(21,125		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(108,389		)	(6,409		)	—			114,798			—
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	(116,030		)	(108,238		)	(19,037		)	114,798			(128,507		)
Income tax benefit	5,884			8,252			11,885			—			26,021
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(10,010		)	3,654			—			(6,356		)
Net loss	(110,146		)	(109,996		)	(3,498		)	114,798			(108,842		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,304		)	—			(1,304		)
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(4,802	)	$	114,798		$	(110,146	)
Net loss	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(3,498	)	$	114,798		$	(108,842	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(2,632		)	—			(2,632		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(6,130	)	$	114,798		$	(111,474	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(110,146		)	(109,996		)	(4,826		)	114,798			(110,170		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,304		)	—			(1,304		)
	$	(110,146	)	$	(109,996	)	$	(6,130	)	$	114,798		$	(111,474	)
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement	'
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(36,253	)	$	(71,050	)	$	(10,945	)	$	—		$	(118,248	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Intercompany advances made	(141,366		)	—			—			141,366			—
	Repayments from non-guarantor	48,000			—			—			(48,000		)	—
	Investment in joint ventures	—			—			(703		)	—			(703		)
	Capital expenditures	—			(40,928		)	(3,759		)	—			(44,687		)
	Recovery from insurance claims	—			12,900			—			—			12,900
	Other investing activities	—			—			395			—			395
	Net cash used in investing activities	(93,366		)	(28,028		)	(4,067		)	93,366			(32,095		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of debt	—			—			(3,079		)	—			(3,079		)
	Payments of preferred dividends	(2,846		)	—			—			—			(2,846		)
	Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,135		)	—			(1,135		)
	Repayments to parent	—			—			(48,000		)	48,000			—
	Intercompany advances owed	—			97,822			43,544			(141,366		)	—
	Other financing activities	—			861			(697		)	—			164
	Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,846		)	98,683			(9,367		)	(93,366		)	(6,896		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(706		)	—			(706		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(132,465		)	(395		)	(25,085		)	—			(157,945		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	169,145			6,467			138,705			—			314,317
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	36,680		$	6,072		$	113,620		$	—		$	156,372
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,972	)	$	(93,855	)	$	21,786		$	—		$	(74,041	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Loans to guarantor	—			—			(40,000		)	40,000			—
	Intercompany advances made	(318,835		)	—			—			318,835			—
	Loans to non-guarantor	—			(1,300		)	—			1,300			—
	Repayments from non-guarantor	10,000			—			—			(10,000		)	—
	Investment in joint ventures	—			(3,423		)	—			—			(3,423		)
	Capital expenditures	—			(255,989		)	(8,737		)	—			(264,726		)
	Other investing activities	—			—			(224		)	—			(224		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(308,835		)	(260,712		)	(48,961		)	350,135			(268,373		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of debt	—			—			(27,283		)	—			(27,283		)
	Net proceeds from sale of common stock	248,150			—			—			—			248,150
	Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	165,600			—			—			—			165,600
	Payments of preferred dividends	(5,693		)	—			—			—			(5,693		)
	Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,946		)	—			(1,946		)
	Borrowings from non-guarantor	—			40,000			—			(40,000		)	—
	Borrowing from guarantor	—			—			1,300			(1,300		)	—
	Repayments to parent	—			—			(10,000		)	10,000			—
	Intercompany advances owed	—			303,659			15,176			(318,835		)	—
	Other financing activities	—			(360		)	—			—			(360		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	408,057			343,299			(22,753		)	(350,135		)	378,468
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			318			—			318
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	97,250			(11,268		)	(49,610		)	—			36,372
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	16,560			18,020			193,210			—			227,790
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	113,810		$	6,752		$	143,600		$	—		$	264,162

Liquidity_and_Capital_Requirem1

Liquidity and Capital Requirements (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014
					Molycorp Mountain Pass facility	Maintenance and Other Expansion Capital Expenditures	Subsequent Event
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$156,372,000	$314,317,000	$264,162,000	$227,790,000	'	'	'
Estimated future capital expenditures remainder of 2014	'	'	'	'	30,000,000	10,000,000	'
Estimated capital expenditures in 2015	'	'	'	'	30,000,000	30,000,000	'
Debt and Lease Financing Commitment Capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	$400,000,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
					segment
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Number of reportable segments	'		'		4		'
Revenues	$116,907		$136,112		$235,432		$281,511
Revenues	116,907		136,112		235,432		281,511
Operating (loss) income	-48,735		-58,879		-99,753		-104,349
Other income	296		2,813		770		2,360
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-41,285		-14,869		-76,925		-26,518
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-89,724		-70,935		-175,908		-128,507
Eliminations	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	-12,066	[1]	-13,357	[1]	-32,023	[1]	-30,612	[1]
Operating (loss) income	537	[1]	-1,286	[1]	-537	[1]	-1,824	[1]
Reportable Segments | Resources	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	2,331		10,922		5,442		25,580
Revenues	10,037		17,587		25,601		34,890
OIBDA	-30,298		-28,775		-66,742		-59,847
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-17,009		-11,629		-30,101		-20,682
Operating (loss) income	-47,307		-40,404		-96,843		-80,529
Reportable Segments | Chemicals and Oxides	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	45,437		34,789		85,707		84,389
Revenues	48,632		41,481		95,188		105,691
OIBDA	4,836		-9,585		8,136		-7,353
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-3,908		-5,589		-7,781		-11,127
Operating (loss) income	928		-15,174		355		-18,480
Reportable Segments | Magnetic Materials and Alloys	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	53,195		66,114		107,915		120,792
Revenues	54,360		66,114		110,298		120,792
OIBDA	11,812		18,060		25,489		30,302
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-4,261		-7,422		-8,498		-12,901
Operating (loss) income	7,551		10,638		16,991		17,401
Reportable Segments | Rare Metals	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	15,944		24,287		36,368		50,750
Revenues	15,944		24,287		36,368		50,750
OIBDA	740		-695		671		4,859
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-2,101		-2,005		-4,194		-4,258
Operating (loss) income	-1,361		-2,700		-3,523		601
Corporate and other | Corporate and other	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Operating (loss) income	-9,083	[2]	-9,953	[2]	-16,196	[2]	-21,518	[2]
Eliminations | Resources	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	7,706		6,665		20,159		9,310
Eliminations | Chemicals and Oxides	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	3,195		6,692		9,481		21,302
Eliminations | Magnetic Materials and Alloys	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	1,165		0		2,383		0
Eliminations | Rare Metals	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	0		0		0		0
Eliminations | Eliminations	'		'		'		'
Segment Information	'		'		'		'
Revenues	($12,066)	[1]	($13,357)	[1]	($32,023)	[1]	($30,612)	[1]
[1]	Consist of inter-segment sales and gross profits eliminations as well as eliminations of lower of cost or market adjustments related to inter-segment inventory.
[2]	Includes business development costs, personnel costs, stock-based compensation, accounting and legal fees, occupancy expense, information technology costs and interest expense.

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current:	'	'
Concentrate stockpiles	$90	$24
Raw materials	49,293	42,627
Work in process	39,250	41,962
Finished goods	70,817	65,662
Materials and supplies	22,572	21,508
Total current	182,022	171,783
Long-term:	'	'
Concentrate stockpiles	0	4
Raw materials	25,934	25,325
Total long-term	$25,934	$25,329

Inventory_Schedule_of_Charges_

Inventory (Schedule of Charges to Cost of Sales Based on Normal Production Levels and Write-Down of Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Inventory [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Production costs expended that would have been allocated to additional tons produced	$17,562	[1]	$25,518	[1]	$42,546	[1]	$47,494	[1]
Inventory write-downs	'		'		36,863		47,958
Charges to cost of sales based on production levels and write-down of inventory	37,053		51,350		79,408		95,452
Rare earth metals	'		'		'		'
Inventory [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Inventory write-downs	19,359	[2]	21,374	[2]	35,520	[2]	41,100	[2]
Stockpile	'		'		'		'
Inventory [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Inventory write-downs	$132	[3]	$4,458	[3]	$1,342	[3]	$6,858	[3]
[1]	Relates to production costs that would have been inventoriable had we been operating at normal production levels. In all periods presented, the majority of these production costs related to the Resources segment.
[2]	Due to the decline in some rare earths prices and low inventory turnover.
[3]	Adjustments of the estimated REO content in the stockpile at the Resources segment.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n2

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Capitalized expenditures related to plant modernization and other capitalized costs	$17,200,000		$77,400,000	$29,400,000		$198,200,000	'
Interest costs capitalized	'		19,300,000	'		40,800,000	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,884,564,000		'	1,884,564,000		'	1,865,552,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-141,070,000		'	-141,070,000		'	-102,678,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,743,494,000		'	1,743,494,000		'	1,762,874,000
Land	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	12,785,000		'	12,785,000		'	12,822,000
Land improvements	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	304,372,000		'	304,372,000		'	327,029,000
Buildings and improvements	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	572,269,000		'	572,269,000		'	418,510,000
Plant and equipment	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	475,980,000		'	475,980,000		'	288,603,000
Vehicles	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	2,969,000		'	2,969,000		'	2,986,000
Computer software	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	12,449,000		'	12,449,000		'	12,424,000
Furnitures and fixtures	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,044,000		'	1,044,000		'	1,044,000
Construction in progress	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	453,744,000	[1]	'	453,744,000	[1]	'	755,107,000	[1]
Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	15,658,000		'	15,658,000		'	15,658,000
Mining equipment under capital lease	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	9,496,000		'	9,496,000		'	7,370,000
Mineral properties	'		'	'		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Property, plant and equipment at cost	$23,798,000		'	$23,798,000		'	$23,999,000
[1]	Primarily related to expenditures at the Mountain Pass facility.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	$11,378,000	$14,128,000	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	1,359,072,000	1,344,561,000	'
Capital lease obligations, current	2,852,000	2,234,000	'
Capital lease obligations, Noncurrent	19,597,000	19,355,000	'
Total debt and Capital lease obligations, Current	14,230,000	16,362,000	'
Total debt and Capital lease obligations, Non-Current	1,378,669,000	1,363,916,000	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Remainder of 2014	10,648,000	'	'
2015	1,431,000	'	'
2016	230,814,000	'	'
2017	416,621,000	'	'
2018	172,500,000	'	'
Thereafter	650,000,000	'	'
Total	1,482,014,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Remainder of 2014	3,834,000	'	'
2015	7,667,000	'	'
2016	7,667,000	'	'
2017	6,550,000	'	'
2018	5,160,000	'	'
Thereafter	17,789,000	'	'
Total	48,667,000	'	'
Notes Payable to Banks	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	11,378,000	14,128,000	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	1,943,000	2,699,000	'
Weighted average interest rate	3.41%	3.59%	'
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate	3.25%	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	211,406,000	207,028,000	'
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate	6.00%	'	6.00%
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	354,606,000	346,708,000	'
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate	5.50%	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	150,760,000	148,198,000	'
Convertible Subordinated Debt | 5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate	5.00%	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	2,209,000	2,493,000	'
Senior Notes | 10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate	10.00%	'	'
Long-term Debt, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0	'
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	638,148,000	637,435,000	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair market value of assets excluded from security interest, maximum	15,000,000	'	'
Cash collateral excluded from security interest, maximum	105.00%	'	'
Voting stock of foreign subsidiaries excluded from security interest, minimum	65.00%	'	'
Carrying Value	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total	1,354,920,000	1,339,369,000	'
Carrying Value | Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total	211,406,000	207,028,000	'
Carrying Value | Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total	354,606,000	346,708,000	'
Carrying Value | Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total	150,760,000	148,198,000	'
Carrying Value | Senior Notes | 10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total	$638,148,000	$637,435,000	'

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat3

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Convertible notes other disclosures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net carrying amount	$1,359,072	'	$1,359,072	'	$1,344,561	'
Equity component of convertible debt	'	'	'	21,815	'	'
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount	230,000	'	230,000	'	230,000	'
Unamortized debt discount	-18,594	'	-18,594	'	-22,972	'
Net carrying amount	211,406	'	211,406	'	207,028	'
Interest cost	4,070	3,931	8,128	7,851	'	'
Interest rate	3.25%	'	3.25%	'	'	'
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount	414,000	'	414,000	'	414,000	'
Unamortized debt discount	-59,394	'	-59,394	'	-67,292	'
Net carrying amount	354,606	'	354,606	'	346,708	'
Interest cost	10,275	9,909	20,425	19,722	'	'
Interest rate	6.00%	'	6.00%	'	'	6.00%
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount	172,500	'	172,500	'	172,500	'
Unamortized debt discount	-21,740	'	-21,740	'	-24,302	'
Net carrying amount	150,760	'	150,760	'	148,198	'
Interest cost	3,676	3,576	7,335	5,873	'	'
Interest rate	5.50%	'	5.50%	'	'	'
Senior Notes | 10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount	650,000	'	650,000	'	650,000	'
Unamortized debt discount	-11,852	'	-11,852	'	-12,565	'
Net carrying amount	638,148	'	638,148	'	637,435	'
Interest cost	16,645	16,610	33,284	33,215	'	'
Interest rate	10.00%	'	10.00%	'	'	'
Additional Paid-In Capital	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	'	'	'	21,815	'	'
Additional Paid-In Capital | Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	'	'	36,227	'	'	'
Additional Paid-In Capital | Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	'	'	68,695	'	'	'
Additional Paid-In Capital | Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	'	'	$21,815	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	8.30%	5.00%	5.30%	20.20%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	($9.60)	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 01, 2014
				Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common shares issued	244,864,035	'	240,380,138	'	'	'
Preferred stock outstanding	'	'	'	'	2,070,000	'
Dividend rate	'	'	'	'	5.50%	'
Conversion rate for preferred stock to common stock	'	'	'	'	'	2
Shares issued upon conversion of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	4,140,000
Cash dividend declared and paid	$2,846	$5,693	'	$2,800	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_ShareLendi

Stockholders' Equity Share-Lending Arrangements (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017

6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017

6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017

6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017

5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018

5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018

5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018

Common Stock

Common Stock

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt Securities

Convertible Debt Securities

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt Securities

Convertible Debt Securities

Own-share Lending Arrangement [Member]

Own-share Lending Arrangement [Member]

Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other non-current assets

$22,821

'

$22,821

'

$7,043

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16,381

$16,381

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,743,494

'

1,743,494

'

1,762,874

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,378

3,378

Additional paid-in capital

2,207,938

'

2,207,938

'

2,194,405

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,062

15,062

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

41,285

14,869

76,925

26,518

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,933

4,933

Income tax benefit

7,427

3,530

9,334

26,021

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,630

9,630

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

6.00%

6.00%

'

'

5.50%

'

5.50%

'

'

'

'

Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,666,666

13,800,000

'

'

Fair value

12,407

'

12,407

'

'

'

'

7,957

18,100

'

4,450

6,600

'

'

'

'

Deferred Finance Costs, Own-share Lending Arrangement, Issuance Costs, Net

16,381

'

16,381

'

'

'

'

11,546

'

'

4,835

'

'

'

'

'

Interest cost expensed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,933

4,933

Interest cost capitalized

$3,378

'

$3,378

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of the period	($6,451)	($9,433)
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-961	-2,632
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	-7,412	-12,065
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of the period	-6,638	-8,261
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-961	-2,632
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	-7,599	-10,893
Postretirement benefit liability	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of the period	187	-1,172
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	0
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	$187	($1,172)

Activity_Related_to_Restricted

Activity Related to Restricted Stock-based Awards (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
PBRSUs	'
Number of Shares	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	697,797
Granted (in shares)	744,540
Forfeited (in shares)	-4,343
Vested (in shares)	0
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	1,437,994
Weighted Average Grant-Date Price	'
Unvested shares at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$7.45
Granted (in dollars per share)	$4.99
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$5.88
Vested (in dollars per share)	$0
Unvested shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$6.18
RSUs	'
Number of Shares	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,076,385
Granted (in shares)	932,052
Forfeited (in shares)	-54,775
Vested (in shares)	-49,913
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	1,903,749
Weighted Average Grant-Date Price	'
Unvested shares at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$9.81
Granted (in dollars per share)	$4.41
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$8.95
Vested (in dollars per share)	$31.91
Unvested shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$6.61

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Remaining annual minimum payments under operating leases	'
Operating lease obligations, total minimum payments	$6,491
Operating lease obligations, Less Than 1 Year	2,400
Operating lease obligations, 1 -3 Years	2,621
Operating lease obligations, 4 - 5 Years	602
Operating lease obligations, More Than 5 Years	$868

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Purchase Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Purchase Obligation	$142,252
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	142,252
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second and Third Year	0
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fourth and Fifth Year	0
Purchase Obligation, Due after Fifth Year	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Class Action Lawsuits filed in US District Court for the Southern District of New York	Employees covered by collective bargaining agreement under facility	Employees covered by collective bargaining agreement under facility	Pending Litigation	Pending Litigation
		lawsuit	Workforce	Molycorp Mountain Pass facility	Purported Class Action	Derivative Lawsuit
			Molycorp Silmet	Workforce	claim	lawsuit
			employee	employee
Plant Modernization and Expansion Commitments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees	'	'	168	258	'	'
Concentration risk (as a percent)	'	'	30.00%	58.00%	'	'
Surety bonds placed to secure the closure and reclamation obligations	$28.80	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number	'	'	'	'	18	'
Number of class action lawsuits filed	'	2	'	'	'	2

Concentrations_Details

Concentrations (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Product Concentration

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Cerium products

Cerium products

Cerium products

Cerium products

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Neo Powders

Daido Electronics

Daido Electronics

Chemicals and Oxides

Chemicals and Oxides

Chemicals and Oxides

Chemicals and Oxides

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Magnetic Materials and Alloys

Daido Electronics

Daido Electronics

Daido Electronics

Daido Electronics

Concentrations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Entity-wide revenue, major customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

7.00%

10.00%

11.00%

44.00%

41.00%

44.00%

38.00%

'

'

'

'

Sales, net of intercompany transactions

$116,907,000

$136,112,000

$235,432,000

$281,511,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15,000,000

$14,000,000

$27,200,000

$22,900,000

Accounts Receivable, Related Parties

'

'

'

'

$5,100,000

$7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (Keli, Metals, USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Keli | Metals	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transactions	'	'	'	'
Purchases made from related party	$18.70	$14.70	$35.60	$24.40

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets2

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$14,708	$1,205
Inventory	-48,213	23,176
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-5,764	519
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	-6,070	-21,167
Income tax payable	684	494
Interest payable	15,552	-27,689
Asset retirement obligation	-1,196	-2,013
Accrued expenses	-1,614	-17,388
Net change in operating assets and liabilities	($31,913)	($42,863)

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	$42,377	$179,052
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liability	6,303	6,089
Level 1	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	42,377	179,052
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liability	0	0
Level 2	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liability	0	0
Level 3	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liability	$6,303	$6,089

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Liability Carrying and Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	$1,482,014	'
Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	1,354,920	1,339,369
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, fair value	1,158,951	1,285,106
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016 | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	211,406	207,028
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017 | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	354,606	346,708
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018 | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	150,760	148,198
Senior Notes | 10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020 | Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, carrying value	638,148	637,435
Level 1 | Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, fair value	173,650	161,771
Level 1 | Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, fair value	269,618	312,570
Level 1 | Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, fair value	112,125	164,015
Level 1 | Senior Notes | 10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020 | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, fair value	$603,558	$646,750

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$156,372	$314,317	$264,162	$227,790
Trade accounts receivable, net	47,031	61,757	'	'
Inventory	182,022	171,783	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,867	29,210	'	'
Total current assets	419,292	577,067	'	'
Non-current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deposits	25,698	25,997	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,743,494	1,762,874	'	'
Inventory	25,934	25,329	'	'
Intangible assets, net	318,954	330,867	'	'
Investments	46,303	48,875	'	'
Goodwill	228,750	228,750	'	'
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current assets	22,821	7,043	'	'
Total non-current assets	2,411,954	2,429,735	'	'
Total assets	2,831,246	3,006,802	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	63,082	84,449	'	'
Accrued expenses	47,005	48,501	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	14,230	16,362	'	'
Other current liabilities	4,386	4,063	'	'
Total current liabilities	128,703	153,375	'	'
Non-current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	16,523	16,966	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	78,424	85,481	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,378,669	1,363,916	'	'
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	10,256	10,002	'	'
Total non-current liabilities	1,483,872	1,476,365	'	'
Total liabilities	1,612,575	1,629,740	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	245	241	'	'
Preferred stock	0	2	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,207,938	2,194,405	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,412	-6,451	-12,065	-9,433
Accumulated deficit	-1,010,435	-840,474	'	'
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,190,336	1,347,723	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	28,335	29,339	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	1,218,671	1,377,062	1,394,442	1,251,258
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,831,246	3,006,802	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	36,680	169,145	113,810	16,560
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventory	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	36,680	169,145	'	'
Non-current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deposits	1,755	1,754	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Inventory	0	0	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Investments	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	409,155	532,767	'	'
Intercompany accounts receivable	2,099,444	2,001,583	'	'
Other non-current assets	16,380	0	'	'
Total non-current assets	2,526,734	2,536,104	'	'
Total assets	2,563,414	2,705,249	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued expenses	18,158	18,158	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	18,158	18,158	'	'
Non-current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	0	0	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,354,920	1,339,368	'	'
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total non-current liabilities	1,354,920	1,339,368	'	'
Total liabilities	1,373,078	1,357,526	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	245	241	'	'
Preferred stock	'	2	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,207,938	2,194,405	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,412	-6,451	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-1,010,435	-840,474	'	'
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	1,190,336	1,347,723	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	1,190,336	1,347,723	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,563,414	2,705,249	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	6,072	6,467	6,752	18,020
Trade accounts receivable, net	3,841	4,990	'	'
Inventory	35,407	32,307	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,861	15,833	'	'
Total current assets	63,181	59,597	'	'
Non-current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deposits	23,943	24,243	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,606,889	1,620,851	'	'
Inventory	25,934	25,329	'	'
Intangible assets, net	409	442	'	'
Investments	30,836	34,134	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	120,163	121,849	'	'
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0	'	'
Other non-current assets	651	771	'	'
Total non-current assets	1,808,825	1,827,619	'	'
Total assets	1,872,006	1,887,216	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	32,202	49,702	'	'
Accrued expenses	11,766	13,782	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	2,852	2,234	'	'
Other current liabilities	441	617	'	'
Total current liabilities	47,261	66,335	'	'
Non-current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	16,523	16,966	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	19,597	19,355	'	'
Intercompany accounts payable	2,123,529	1,999,562	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	1,401	1,393	'	'
Total non-current liabilities	2,161,050	2,037,276	'	'
Total liabilities	2,208,311	2,103,611	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	'	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	149,857	149,857	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-486,162	-366,252	'	'
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	-336,305	-216,395	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	-336,305	-216,395	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,872,006	1,887,216	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	113,620	138,705	143,600	193,210
Trade accounts receivable, net	43,190	56,767	'	'
Inventory	146,615	139,476	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,006	13,377	'	'
Total current assets	319,431	348,325	'	'
Non-current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deposits	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	136,605	142,023	'	'
Inventory	0	0	'	'
Intangible assets, net	318,545	330,425	'	'
Investments	15,467	14,741	'	'
Goodwill	228,750	228,750	'	'
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany accounts receivable	24,085	0	'	'
Other non-current assets	5,790	6,272	'	'
Total non-current assets	729,242	722,211	'	'
Total assets	1,048,673	1,070,536	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	30,880	34,747	'	'
Accrued expenses	17,081	16,561	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	11,378	14,128	'	'
Other current liabilities	3,945	3,446	'	'
Total current liabilities	63,284	68,882	'	'
Non-current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	0	0	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	78,424	85,481	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	4,152	5,193	'	'
Intercompany accounts payable	0	2,021	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	8,855	8,609	'	'
Total non-current liabilities	91,431	101,304	'	'
Total liabilities	154,715	170,186	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	'	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	1,315,426	1,315,426	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,412	-6,451	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-442,391	-437,964	'	'
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	865,623	871,011	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	28,335	29,339	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	893,958	900,350	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,048,673	1,070,536	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Inventory	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Non-current assets:	'	'	'	'
Deposits	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Inventory	0	0	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Investments	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	-529,318	-654,616	'	'
Intercompany accounts receivable	-2,123,529	-2,001,583	'	'
Other non-current assets	0	0	'	'
Total non-current assets	-2,652,847	-2,656,199	'	'
Total assets	-2,652,847	-2,656,199	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued expenses	0	0	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	0	0	'	'
Other current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Non-current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	0	0	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0	'	'
Debt and capital lease obligations	0	0	'	'
Intercompany accounts payable	-2,123,529	-2,001,583	'	'
Other non-current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total non-current liabilities	-2,123,529	-2,001,583	'	'
Total liabilities	-2,123,529	-2,001,583	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	'	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-1,465,283	-1,465,283	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	7,412	6,451	'	'
Accumulated deficit	928,553	804,216	'	'
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	-529,318	-654,616	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	-529,318	-654,616	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($2,652,847)	($2,656,199)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$116,907	$136,112	$235,432	$281,511
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-113,399	-135,724	-238,872	-271,255
Depreciation and amortization	-20,079	-18,424	-36,226	-32,596
Gross loss	-16,571	-18,036	-39,666	-22,340
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	-20,424	-26,059	-38,379	-52,610
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-7,257	-8,278	-14,459	-16,488
Research and development	-4,483	-6,506	-7,249	-12,911
Operating loss	-48,735	-58,879	-99,753	-104,349
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	296	2,813	770	2,360
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-41,285	-14,869	-76,925	-26,518
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	0	0	0	0
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-89,724	-70,935	-175,908	-128,507
Income tax benefit	7,427	3,530	9,334	26,021
Equity in loss of affiliates	-1,553	-3,284	-3,275	-6,356
Net loss	-83,850	-70,689	-169,849	-108,842
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-109	662	-961	-2,632
Comprehensive loss	-83,959	-70,027	-170,810	-111,474
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	-83,910	-69,541	-170,698	-110,170
Noncontrolling interest	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Parent	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Gross loss	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	-153	0	-393	0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0	0	0	0
Research and development	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	-153	0	-393	0
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	15,149	0	-3,122	0
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-39,658	-14,745	-74,214	-25,885
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,434	8,592	20,789	18,244
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	-79,301	-65,022	-122,651	-108,389
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-93,529	-71,175	-179,591	-116,030
Income tax benefit	9,630	0	9,630	5,884
Equity in loss of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Net loss	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	-83,899	-71,175	-169,961	-110,146
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	12,009	27,168	29,239	48,777
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-38,490	-46,363	-91,869	-91,692
Depreciation and amortization	-16,031	-11,757	-28,158	-19,187
Gross loss	-42,512	-30,952	-90,788	-62,102
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	-10,437	-16,488	-18,595	-33,504
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-1,057	48	-2,102	-1,661
Research and development	-100	-1,431	-243	-3,391
Operating loss	-54,106	-48,823	-111,728	-100,658
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	196	244	212	243
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-1,190	-2,236	-2,395	-4,295
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	-510	1,237	-1,014	2,881
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	-2,009	-7,487	-1,686	-6,409
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-57,619	-57,065	-116,611	-108,238
Income tax benefit	0	-11,198	0	8,252
Equity in loss of affiliates	-1,592	-8,012	-3,299	-10,010
Net loss	-59,211	-76,275	-119,910	-109,996
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-59,211	-76,275	-119,910	-109,996
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-59,211	-76,275	-119,910	-109,996
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	-59,211	-76,275	-119,910	-109,996
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	113,319	120,976	227,051	255,124
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-83,330	-101,393	-167,861	-201,953
Depreciation and amortization	-4,048	-6,667	-8,068	-13,409
Gross loss	25,941	12,916	51,122	39,762
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	-9,834	-9,571	-19,391	-19,106
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-6,200	-8,326	-12,357	-14,827
Research and development	-4,383	-5,075	-7,006	-9,520
Operating loss	5,524	-10,056	12,368	-3,691
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	-15,049	2,569	3,680	2,117
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	-437	2,112	-316	3,662
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	-9,924	-9,829	-19,775	-21,125
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-19,886	-15,204	-4,043	-19,037
Income tax benefit	-2,203	14,728	-296	11,885
Equity in loss of affiliates	39	4,728	24	3,654
Net loss	-22,050	4,252	-4,315	-3,498
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-22,099	3,766	-4,427	-4,802
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-109	662	-961	-2,632
Comprehensive loss	-22,159	4,914	-5,276	-6,130
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	-22,110	5,400	-5,164	-4,826
Noncontrolling interest	-49	-486	-112	-1,304
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-8,421	-12,032	-20,858	-22,390
Costs of sales:	'	'	'	'
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	8,421	12,032	20,858	22,390
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Gross loss	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0	0	0	0
Research and development	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	0	0	0	0
Other expenses:	'	'	'	'
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	0	0	0	0
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	0	0	0	0
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Income tax benefit	0	0	0	0
Equity in loss of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Net loss	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Comprehensive loss attributable to:	'	'	'	'
Molycorp stockholders	81,310	72,509	124,337	114,798
Noncontrolling interest	$0	$0	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	($118,248)	($74,041)
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Loans to guarantor	'	0
Intercompany advances made	0	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to non-guarantor	'	0
Investment in joint ventures	-703	-3,423
Capital expenditures	-44,687	-264,726
Recovery from insurance claims	12,900	0
Other investing activities	395	-224
Net cash used in investing activities	-32,095	-268,373
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	-3,079	-27,283
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	0	248,150
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	0	165,600
Payments of preferred dividends	-2,846	-5,693
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-1,135	-1,946
Borrowings from non-guarantor	'	0
Borrowing from guarantor	'	0
Repayments to parent	0	0
Intercompany advances owed	0	0
Other financing activities	164	-360
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-6,896	378,468
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-706	318
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-157,945	36,372
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	314,317	227,790
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	156,372	264,162
Parent	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-36,253	-1,972
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Loans to guarantor	'	0
Intercompany advances made	-141,366	-318,835
Repayments from non-guarantor	48,000	10,000
Loans to non-guarantor	'	0
Investment in joint ventures	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Recovery from insurance claims	0	'
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-93,366	-308,835
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	0	0
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	'	248,150
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	'	165,600
Payments of preferred dividends	-2,846	-5,693
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Borrowings from non-guarantor	'	0
Borrowing from guarantor	'	0
Repayments to parent	0	0
Intercompany advances owed	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-2,846	408,057
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-132,465	97,250
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	169,145	16,560
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	36,680	113,810
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-71,050	-93,855
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Loans to guarantor	'	0
Intercompany advances made	0	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to non-guarantor	'	-1,300
Investment in joint ventures	0	-3,423
Capital expenditures	-40,928	-255,989
Recovery from insurance claims	12,900	'
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-28,028	-260,712
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	0	0
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	'	0
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	'	0
Payments of preferred dividends	0	0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Borrowings from non-guarantor	'	40,000
Borrowing from guarantor	'	0
Repayments to parent	0	0
Intercompany advances owed	97,822	303,659
Other financing activities	861	-360
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	98,683	343,299
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-395	-11,268
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	6,467	18,020
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,072	6,752
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-10,945	21,786
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Loans to guarantor	'	-40,000
Intercompany advances made	0	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to non-guarantor	'	0
Investment in joint ventures	-703	0
Capital expenditures	-3,759	-8,737
Recovery from insurance claims	0	'
Other investing activities	395	-224
Net cash used in investing activities	-4,067	-48,961
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	-3,079	-27,283
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	'	0
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	'	0
Payments of preferred dividends	0	0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-1,135	-1,946
Borrowings from non-guarantor	'	0
Borrowing from guarantor	'	1,300
Repayments to parent	-48,000	-10,000
Intercompany advances owed	43,544	15,176
Other financing activities	-697	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-9,367	-22,753
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-706	318
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-25,085	-49,610
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	138,705	193,210
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	113,620	143,600
Eliminations	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Loans to guarantor	'	40,000
Intercompany advances made	141,366	318,835
Repayments from non-guarantor	-48,000	-10,000
Loans to non-guarantor	'	1,300
Investment in joint ventures	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Recovery from insurance claims	0	'
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	93,366	350,135
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt	0	0
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	'	0
Issuance of 5.50% Convertible Notes	'	0
Payments of preferred dividends	0	0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Borrowings from non-guarantor	'	-40,000
Borrowing from guarantor	'	-1,300
Repayments to parent	48,000	10,000
Intercompany advances owed	-141,366	-318,835
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-93,366	-350,135
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 06, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Debt and Lease Financing Commitment Capacity	$400
Warrants to be Issued Equal to Common Stock Outstanding, Percentage of Shares	10.00%
Financings Available at Closing	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Debt and Lease Financing Commitment Capacity	250
Financings Available until March 31, 2016	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Debt and Lease Financing Commitment Capacity	$150
Financings Available	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Term	'5 years