Molycorp (MCPIQ) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	5-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Molycorp, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1489137
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		277,979,529
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$133,599	$211,685
Trade accounts receivable, net	47,697	44,575
Inventory (Note 4)	180,810	169,323
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,013	29,332
Total current assets	398,119	454,915
Non-current assets:
Deposits	31,213	31,078
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 5)	1,691,051	1,707,970
Inventory (Note 4)	24,724	25,127
Intangible assets, net	211,726	215,871
Investments	7,793	8,801
Goodwill	102,808	102,808
Other non-current assets	27,350	29,416
Total non-current assets	2,096,665	2,121,071
Total assets	2,494,784	2,575,986
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	35,102	40,842
Accrued expenses	30,718	33,666
Interest payable	28,184	18,300
Debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	13,953	12,560
Other current liabilities	5,691	4,686
Total current liabilities	113,648	110,054
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	17,876	17,799
Deferred tax liabilities	63,731	63,802
Debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	1,570,801	1,559,781
Other non-current liabilities	20,140	20,247
Total non-current liabilities	1,672,548	1,661,629
Total liabilities	1,786,196	1,771,683
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	278	260
Additional paid-in capital	2,247,199	2,245,478
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,466	-3,323
Accumulated deficit	-1,547,742	-1,445,408
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	701,201	797,007
Noncontrolling interests	7,387	7,296
Total stockholders’ equity	708,588	804,303
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,494,784	$2,575,986

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized	700,000,000	700,000,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$106,424	$118,526
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-105,874	-125,473
Depreciation and amortization	-25,280	-16,147
Gross loss	-24,730	-23,094
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	-21,457	-17,956
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-5,573	-7,201
Research and development	-3,141	-2,766
Operating loss	-54,901	-51,017
Other income	2,123	474
Interest expense	-46,300	-35,639
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-99,078	-86,182
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,968	1,907
Equity in loss of affiliates	-224	-1,723
Net loss	-102,270	-85,998
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-64	-63
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-102,334	-86,061
Net loss	-102,270	-85,998
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,789	-852
Comprehensive loss	-97,481	-86,850
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	-97,545	-86,913
Noncontrolling interest	64	63
Comprehensive loss	-97,481	-86,850
Loss per share of common stock (Note 9):
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-102,334	-86,061
Dividends on Convertible Preferred Stock	0	-2,846
Loss attributable to common stockholders	($102,334)	($88,907)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic	245,808,011	221,374,589
Basic loss per share: (in dollars per share)	($0.42)	($0.40)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted	245,808,011	221,374,589
Diluted loss per share: (in dollars per share)	($0.42)	($0.40)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Total Molycorp Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Common Stock	Common Stock	Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	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	Convertible Debt Securities				Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	Convertible Debt Securities
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	103	103	0					103
Stock-based compensation (in shares)			177,491
Conversion of Exchangeable Shares (in shares)			392
Conversion of shares	7	7		4			-2	7	-2
Conversion of shares (in shares)			1,281	4,140,000			-2,070,000
Net (loss) income	-85,998	-86,061										-86,061	63
Preferred dividends	-2,846	-2,846						-2,846
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	-435												-435
Other comprehensive loss	-852	-852									-852
Other	-244	-263						-263					19
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	1,286,797	1,257,811	245			0		2,191,404			-7,303	-926,535	28,986
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014			244,699,258			0
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	804,303	797,007	260					2,245,478			-3,323	-1,445,408	7,296
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			259,831,422
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	1,777	1,777	0					1,777
Stock-based compensation (in shares)			73,672
Conversion of Exchangeable Shares (in shares)			123
Conversion of shares	1	1						1
Conversion of shares (in shares)			2,924		18,071,175
Warrants exercise (Note 8)					18					-18
Net (loss) income	-102,270	-102,334										-102,334	64
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	-40												-40
Other comprehensive loss	4,789	4,789									4,789
Other	28	-39						-39					67
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$708,588	$701,201	$278					$2,247,199			$1,466	($1,547,742)	$7,387
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015			277,979,316

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($102,270)	($85,998)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	30,853	23,348
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	231	-6,097
Inventory write-downs	28,868	17,371
Stock-based compensation	1,503	822
Equity in results of affiliates	224	1,723
PIK interest	3,106	0
Other operating adjustments	3,963	831
Net change in operating assets and liabilities (Note 13)	-39,363	2,215
Net cash used in operating activities	-72,885	-45,785
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-6,333	-29,752
Other investing activities	947	493
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,386	-29,259
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	979	-489
Payments of preferred dividends	0	-2,846
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-40	-435
Other financing activities	-781	1,323
Net cash used in financing activities	158	-2,447
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	27	-776
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-78,086	-78,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	211,685	314,317
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$133,599	$236,050

Going_Concern

Going Concern	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Capital Requirements [Abstract]
Going Concern	Going Concern
	As a result of continuing softness in the prices for our products, as well as inconsistent or depressed demand for certain of our products and the delayed ramp-up of operations at our Mountain Pass facility, we have incurred, and continue to incur, operating losses. While certain of our business units currently generate positive cash flow from operations, we have not yet achieved break-even cash flow from operations (excluding interest) on a consolidated basis as we continue the ramp-up and optimize production at our Mountain Pass facility.
	As of March 31, 2015, the total principal balance of our outstanding debt is approximately $1.7 billion, including approximately $206.5 million of our 3.25% Convertible Notes that matures on June 15, 2016. Based on our current cash forecast, we may not have sufficient funds available to repay those convertible notes at maturity, in part because the delayed draw proceeds under the 2014 Financings (defined below) would not be available in the event we do not achieve certain earnings and production targets specified in the 2014 Financings. Additionally, the agreements governing the 2014 Financings contain springing maturity obligations if we do not repay, or provide for the repayment of, certain of our 3.25% Convertible Notes by April 2016. Certain of our debt obligations contain covenants that are subject to interpretation. Although we do not believe we are in breach of any such covenants as at March 31, 2015, if a creditor under any such debt obligations decides to declare a breach of any such covenant, then such creditor could exercise its rights under the applicable debt obligations, which will trigger cross-defaults in other debt obligations. Such actions by creditors could require repayment of our debt before maturity, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to meet such repayment obligations. See more information on our convertible notes and other debt obligations at Note 6.
	In addition, on December 30, 2014, we received notice that we are not in compliance with the continued listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") because the current trading price for our common stock is below the minimum listing requirements. We are taking actions to meet the compliance standards for continued listing on the NYSE, and are seeking approval from our stockholders for a reverse stock split as an alternative means of regaining compliance with the minimum share price requirement. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet the necessary requirements for continued listing, and, therefore, we cannot guarantee that our common stock will remain listed for trading on the NYSE. If we fail to meet the necessary requirements for our common stock to remain listed on the NYSE or other similar markets, then we will be obligated to offer to repurchase all of our outstanding convertible notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Our failure to make such an offer or repurchase any tendered convertible notes will result in an event of default under the indentures governing our convertible notes. Any such event of default will trigger a cross-default on our other debt obligations, including the 2014 Financings. Our inability to cure any such defaults, including the prepayment of our debt obligations, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
	Capital expenditures for our Mountain Pass facility have decreased significantly and are expected to total approximately $35 million for the remainder of 2015 and $20 million in 2016. Additionally, we expect to spend approximately $17 million for the remainder of 2015 and $20 million in 2016 on maintenance and expansion capital expenditures across all other operating segments. Our annual cash interest payments on all debt (excluding capital leases), including unused commitment fees, currently total approximately $124 million. This amount excludes other associated fees and expenses that may become payable by us under our credit agreements. 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 operate and maintain our Mountain Pass facility and our other operations within our current estimates, (iii) 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, (iv) stable or improved market conditions, (v) 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), (vi) our ability to repatriate cash generated from our global operations, and (vii) the absence of payments on current and future contingent liabilities.
	Our cash balances of $133.6 million as of March 31, 2015 represent our primary source of liquidity to fund our capital expenditures, debt service and net operating cash requirements. As part of our plan to achieve positive cash flows from operations, we have implemented initiatives to reduce our operating and administrative costs and we will continue to pursue other cost efficiencies. Despite these efforts, due to, as discussed above, the continuing softness in the prices for our products, inconsistent or depressed demand for certain of our products and the delayed ramp-up of operations at our Mountain Pass facility, we will need additional financing in 2015 to meet our business plan and our obligations as they come due.
	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 approximately $400.0 million in secured financing through credit facilities and the sale and leaseback of certain equipment at our Mountain Pass facility (the "2014 Financings") for corporate, operating and capital expenditures purposes. On September 11, 2014, we executed agreements governing the 2014 Financings and received initial gross proceeds totaling $250.0 million from Oaktree, with the remaining $149.8 million available to be drawn until April 30, 2016, $134.8 million of which is available only if we achieve certain financial and operational performance targets. For more information, see Note 6 below. Additionally, availability of the other $15.0 million may be limited by certain outstanding balances under our foreign subsidiary credit facilities.
	We regularly evaluate opportunities to reduce our debt and/or related interest costs. In November 2014, we exchanged $11.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of our 5.50% Convertible Notes, and $27.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of our 6.00% Convertible Notes for a total of approximately 15,056,603 shares of our common stock, plus payments in cash of accrued but unpaid interest. Additionally, we may from time to time seek to repurchase other outstanding debt securities with cash and/or exchanges for common stock or securities convertible into common stock or other debt securities.
	In December 2014, our Board of Directors approved the engagement of an independent investment bank and advisory firm to advise us in pursuing various financing alternatives to secure a more sustainable capital structure. While we are evaluating a number of alternatives, we will seek to convert a significant portion of our outstanding debt to equity, including the exchange of debt for shares of our common stock. In addition, we may seek to reduce our cash interest cost and/or extend debt maturity dates by negotiating the exchange of outstanding debt for new debt with modified terms. Although we have been successful in raising funds to date, there can be no assurance that adequate or sufficient funding will be available in the future, or available under terms acceptable to us.
	These circumstances indicate the existence of a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt as to our ability to meet our business plan and our obligations as they come due and, accordingly, the appropriateness of the use of the accounting principles applicable to a going concern. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis that assumes we will be able to continue to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business, and do not reflect the adjustments to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that would be necessary if we were unable to obtain adequate financing or restructure our debt. If we are unable to execute our business plan and restructure our debt, we may not be able to continue as a going concern.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, and for all periods presented. While the December 31, 2014 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, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015.
	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. All other investments are accounted for at cost. Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period.
	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 3 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015.
	Prior to January 1, 2015, the functional currency of certain entities within our Magnetic Materials and Alloys segment was the U.S. dollar. We changed the functional currency of these entities to the Chinese Renminbi effective January 1, 2015 following a significant shift from U.S. dollar to Chinese Renminbi denominated sales that occurred as a result of the patent expiration relating to the sales of Neo Powders™. The change in functional currency was applied prospectively from January 1, 2015. The accounting basis of the assets and liabilities affected by the change in functional currency were adjusted to reflect the exchange rate on the date of the change in functional currency. As a result of this change, we recorded a $4.5 million cumulative translation gain in other comprehensive loss on January 1, 2015.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The guidance in the new standard is limited to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. Prior to the issuance of the standard, debt issuance costs were required to be presented in the balance sheet as a deferred charge (i.e., an asset). For public entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis.
	We intend to adopt ASU 2015-03 in our financial statements for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2016. As of March 31, 2015, our other non-current assets included deferred charges related to debt issuance costs of approximately $15.1 million. The retrospective adoption of this new standard will have the effect of presenting the deferred charges balance as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 as a contra liability to our debt and capital lease obligations, rather than a non-current asset. The adoption of this new standard will have no impact to our statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss in all periods presented.
	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 intend to adopt ASU 2014-09 in our financial statements for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2017. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard has not yet been determined.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	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 Resources segment includes our operations at the Mountain Pass facility, where we perform rare earth minerals extraction to produce LREC; separated rare earth oxides, including Lanthanum, Cerium, and Neodymium-Praseodymium; heavy rare earth concentrates, which include Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, and others; and a line of proprietary rare earth-based water treatment products, including SorbX® and PhosFIX®.
	The Chemicals and Oxides segment includes the following productions: rare earths from our Molycorp Silmet AS, or Molycorp Silmet, facility in Sillamäe, Estonia; separated heavy rare earth oxides and other custom engineered materials from our majority-owned Jiangyin Jia Hua Advanced Material Resources Co., Ltd. , or Molycorp Jiangyin, facility in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China; and rare earths, salts of REEs, zirconium-based engineered materials, and mixed rare earth/zirconium oxides from our majority-owned Zibo Jia Hua Advanced Material Resources Co., Ltd., or Molycorp Zibo, facility in Zibo, Shandong Province, China. At our Chemicals and Oxides segment, we develop and sell rare-earth based oxides for all the major emission catalysts manufacturers. Several factors are driving an increasing demand for emission catalysts, including the following: the accelerating shift of vehicle production to the BRIC countries (Brazil, India, Russia and China); the continuous development of new emission catalytic solutions; and an overall tightening of environmental regulations around the world. Other applications that utilize rare earths and zirconium-based materials we produce at our Chemicals and Oxides segment include computers, television display panels, optical lenses, mobile phones, electronic chips, and many others.
	The Magnetic Materials and Alloys segment includes the production of Neo Powders™ through our wholly-owned manufacturing facilities in Tianjin, China, and Korat, Thailand, under the Molycorp Magnequench brand. This operating segment also includes manufacturing of Neodymium and Samarium magnet alloys and other specialty alloy products and rare earth metals at our Molycorp Metals and Alloys, Inc., or MMA, facility in Tolleson, Arizona. Neo Powders™ are used in the production of high performance, bonded NdFeB permanent magnets, which are found in micro motors, precision motors, sensors, and other applications requiring high levels of magnetic strength, flexibility, small size, reduced weight, and energy efficient performance.
	The Rare Metals segment produces, reclaims, refines, and markets high value niche metals and their compounds that include Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Tantalum, and Niobium. Operations in this segment are distributed in several locations: Quapaw, Oklahoma; Blanding, Utah; Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Sagard, Germany; Hyeongok Industrial Zone in South Korea; and Sillamäe, Estonia. Applications from products made in this segment include wireless technologies, LED, flat panel display, turbine, solar, catalyst, steel additive, electronics applications, and others. The growing adoption of LED applications, which require the use of Gallium trichloride, is allowing the Rare Metals segment to benefit from the decline in certain rare earth phosphor applications.
	The accounting polices used in the preparation of our reportable segment financial information are the same as those used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The primary metric we use to measure the financial performance of each reportable segment is OIBDA (Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion), which provides a better indication of the base-line performance of our core business operations.
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	2,514		$	37,288		$	50,508		$	16,114					$	—		$	106,424
	Inter-segment	8,315			5,508			1,616			15						(15,454		)	—
	Total revenues	$	10,829		$	42,796		$	52,124		$	16,129					$	(15,454	)	$	106,424
	OIBDA	$	(34,848	)	$	5,737		$	12,247		$	1,594
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(21,954		)	(2,283		)	(4,156		)	(2,405		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(56,802	)	$	3,454		$	8,091		$	(811	)	$	(12,079	)	$	3,246		$	(54,901	)
	Other expense																			2,123
	Interest expense																			(46,300		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(99,078	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	3,111		$	40,271		$	54,720		$	20,424					$	—		$	118,526
	Inter-segment	12,453			6,285			1,218			—						(19,956		)	—
	Total revenues	$	15,564		$	46,556		$	55,938		$	20,424					$	(19,956	)	$	118,526
	OIBDA	$	(36,445	)	$	3,299		$	13,676		$	(70	)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(13,091		)	(3,872		)	(4,237		)	(2,093		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(49,536	)	$	(573	)	$	9,439		$	(2,163	)	$	(7,109	)	$	(1,075	)	$	(51,017	)
	Other expense																			474
	Interest expense																			(35,639		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(86,182	)
	a.	Includes business development costs, personnel costs, stock-based compensation, accounting and legal fees, occupancy expense, information technology costs and interest expense.
	b.	Consists of inter-segment sales and gross profits eliminations as well as eliminations of lower of cost or market adjustments related to inter-segment inventory.

Inventory

Inventory	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our inventory consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Raw materials	$	54,648	$	47,796
	Work in process	26,205		24,901
	Finished goods	71,312		67,795
	Materials and supplies	28,645		28,831
	Total current	$	180,810	$	169,323
	Long-term:
	Raw materials	$	24,724	$	25,127
	Total long-term	$	24,724	$	25,127
	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 March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Abnormal production costs expensed in the period (a)	$	28,501	$	24,985
	Write-down to the lower of cost or market (b)	28,868		16,161
	Write-downs of stockpile inventory (c)	—		1,210
	Total	$	57,369	$	42,356
	(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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	Property, Plant and Equipment, net
	We capitalized expenditures of $3.5 million and $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The majority of these capital expenditures related to capital projects performed at our Mountain Pass facility (Resources segment). At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	13,507		$	13,121
	Land improvements	305,119			305,119
	Buildings and improvements	815,756			811,418
	Plant and equipment	707,579			623,453
	Vehicles	3,056			2,884
	Computer software	12,507			12,268
	Furniture and fixtures	1,040			1,039
	Construction in progress (a)	16,129			80,699
	Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	15,658			15,658
	Mining equipment under capital lease	10,982			10,982
	Mineral properties	24,539			23,669
	Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,925,872			1,900,310
	Less accumulated depreciation	(234,821		)	(192,340		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,691,051		$	1,707,970
	(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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Current				Non-Current			Current				Non-Current
		(In thousands)
	Bank loans due November 2015 - June 2017	$	10,637			$	90		$	9,326			$	91
	3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	—				195,421			—				193,549
	6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	—				339,858			—				335,969
	5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017	—				1,745			—				2,075
	5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	—				144,777			—				143,581
	12.00% Term Loans, due September 2019	—				101,168			—				98,812
	12.00% Equipment Financing, due September 2019	—				130,103			—				127,594
	10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	—				639,291			—				638,899
	Total debt	10,637				1,552,453			9,326				1,540,570
	Capital lease obligations	3,316				18,348			3,234				19,211
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	13,953			$	1,570,801		$	12,560			$	1,559,781
	Weighted average interest rate on the bank loans was 3.90% and 4.1% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Scheduled minimum debt repayments, excluding capital lease obligations, were as follows at March 31, 2015:
	Debt maturities, excluding capital leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2015	$	7,028
	2016	210,154
	2017	384,772
	2018	161,500
	2019	321,154
	Thereafter	650,000
	Total	$	1,734,608
	As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to our indebtedness. However, as disclosed in Note 1, certain financial and operational conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty that casts substantial doubt on our ability to meet our obligations as they come due.
	2014 Financings
	The 2014 Financings consist of two term loans and one equipment financing, as follows:
	a.	A term loan facility of $185.0 million (the “Parent Term Loan”), $50.2 million of which was advanced on the closing date and $134.8 million is available to be drawn in the minimum amount of $50.0 million at any time until April 30, 2016, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including (i) consolidated adjusted EBITDA of no less than $20.0 million for each of two consecutive fiscal quarters, and (ii) evidence that production at our Mountain Pass facility is equal to or greater than 4,000 mt for each of two consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case prior to, but including, the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2016. Proceeds from the Parent Term Loan have been and will be used for capital expenditures, interest expense and general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of certain of our convertible notes owned by Oaktree, and the payment of transaction expenses related to the 2014 Financings.
	b.	A term loan facility of $75.0 million (the “Magnequench Term Loan”), $60.0 million of which was advanced on the closing date and $15.0 million of delayed draw term loans to be advanced, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, in minimum amounts of $5.0 million after the closing date and until April 30, 2016. Proceeds from the Magnequench Term Loan will be used to satisfy certain intercompany obligations of Magnequench, Inc. and to make certain intercompany loans.
	Interest rates on the Parent Term Loan and the Magnequench Term Loan (collectively, the “Term Loans”) are: (i) from the closing date through June 14, 2016, 7.00% per year payable in cash and 5.00% per year payable in kind (“PIK interest”) and (ii) from June 15, 2016, and thereafter, 12.00% per year payable in cash, unless our 3.25% Convertible Notes have been repaid in full with the proceeds of the sale of our common equity or by the exchange of such convertible notes for our common equity, or any combination thereof (the “2016 Notes Equity Refinancing”), in which case, interest will accrue as indicated in (i) above. The daily average unused amount of the delayed draw Term Loans commitment for the Term Loans is subject to an unused commitment enhancement payment of 1.00% per year.
	The Term Loans mature on September 11, 2019, with springing maturity dates at (i) April 30, 2016, if we have not repaid, escrowed or extended an amount of cash sufficient to repay when due and payable the 3.25% Convertible Notes down to $40.0 million in the aggregate and (ii) March 31, 2017, if we have not repaid or escrowed an amount of cash sufficient to repay when due and payable (a) our 6.00% Convertible Notes down to $80.0 million in the aggregate and (b) our 5.50% Convertible Notes down to $40.0 million in the aggregate.
	We cannot make any voluntary prepayments on the Term Loans prior to the fourth anniversary of the closing date. In addition, any prepayment of the loans and any repayment (or other satisfaction) of the loans after acceleration, but prior to September 11, 2019, will be subject to an early payment premium of (i) 43.8% of the principal amount so prepaid if paid prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, (ii) 33.7% of the principal amount so prepaid if paid on or after the first anniversary of the closing date but prior to the second anniversary of the closing date, (iii) 23.0% of the principal amount so prepaid if paid on or after the second anniversary of the closing date but prior to the third anniversary of the closing date, (iv) 11.5% of the principal amount so prepaid if paid on or after the third anniversary of the closing date but prior to the fourth anniversary of the closing date, and (vi) 3.0% of the principal amount so prepaid if paid on or after the fourth anniversary of the closing date. Any mandatory prepayment of the loans resulting from an asset sale will be subject to an early payment premium of 3.0% of the principal amount so prepaid.
	The springing maturity dates, in combination with the early payment premiums applicable to any prepayment of the loans described above, meet the definition of a derivative that is required to be bifurcated from its host debt instrument. Because this derivative is to be classified as a liability, we recognized a discount on the Term Loans as of the closing date of approximately $1.7 million, in the aggregate, which will be amortized to interest expense over the duration of the Term Loans. See Note 14 for more information on this derivative.
	c.	A Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to which we sold certain equipment including, but not limited to, parts of our natural gas powered co-generation power plant, the Chlor-Alkali facility and the water treatment plant (collectively, the “Equipment”), located at our Mountain Pass facility. In exchange for the sale of the Equipment, we received proceeds of $139.8 million that have been and will be used for the development and improvement of the Equipment and other assets at our Mountain Pass facility, and may be used, to the extent permitted under our 10% Senior Notes indenture and the Parent Term Loan, for interest payments and other general corporate purposes.
	Concurrently with entering into the Purchase and Sale Agreement, we and Oaktree entered into an Equipment Lease Agreement, which we refer to as the "Equipment Financing", whereby we leased back all of the Equipment. The Equipment Financing has a five-year term with the following approximate annual rent payments (due quarterly in arrears): $10.1 million in the first year, $10.7 million in the second year, $11.2 million in the third year, $11.8 million in the fourth year and $12.4 million in the fifth year with an additional payment of approximately $179.9 million on the fifth anniversary of the lease commencement date (“Base Rent Payments”); provided, that unless the 2016 Notes Equity Refinancing, as defined above, has occurred by June 15, 2016, the rent will be adjusted to require annual payments of $18.0 million for years two through five and a payment of approximately $147.0 million on the fifth anniversary of the lease commencement date. Base Rent Payments on the Equipment Financing are based on a 7% annual rate applied to the unpaid principal balance plus accrued, but unpaid interest calculated at an annual rate of 5%.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value of the Term Loans and the Equipment Financing at March 31, 2015:
		12.00% Term Loans						12.00% Equipment Financing
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	113,268		$	111,858		$	143,689		$	141,993
	Unamortized debt discount	(12,100		)	(13,046		)	(13,586		)	(14,399		)
	Net carrying amount	$	101,168		$	98,812		$	130,103		$	127,594
	Interest costs on the Term Loans and the Equipment Financing were as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		12.00% Term Loans				12.00% Equipment Financing
		(In thousands)
	Cash interest	$	2,332			$	2,484
	PIK interest	1,410				1,696
	Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,246				1,429
	Total interest cost	$	4,988			$	5,609
	Obligations under the 2014 Financings are guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries (the “Pari Passu Guarantors”) that also guarantee the obligations under our 10% Senior Notes. Our obligations and those of the Pari Passu Guarantors under the 2014 Financings are secured by a pari passu lien on substantially all of our assets and the assets of the Pari Passu Guarantors (the “Pari Passu Collateral”) on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations under the 10% Senior Notes. The maximum principal amount of debt under the 2014 Financings secured by the Pari Passu Collateral shall not exceed $300.0 million in the aggregate at any time or such higher amount permitted by the Pari Passu Indenture. In addition, the obligations under the 2014 Financings are guaranteed by certain of our other subsidiaries (the “First Priority Guarantors”). The obligations of the First Priority Guarantors under the 2014 Financings are secured by a first priority lien on certain equity interests owned by the First Priority Guarantors, including equity interests of certain foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the Magnequench Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of Magnequench, Inc.
	Convertible Notes and Senior Secured Obligations
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value for each of our Convertible Notes and our 10% Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and provides the interest cost of each instrument for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		3.25% Convertible Notes						6.00% Convertible Notes							5.50% Convertible Notes						10% Senior Notes
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,				March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014				2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	206,505		$	206,505		$	383,000		$	383,000			$	161,500		$	161,500		$	650,000		$	650,000
	Unamortized debt discount	(11,084		)	(12,956		)	(43,142		)	(47,031		)		(16,723		)	(17,919		)	(10,709		)	(11,101		)
	Net carrying amount	$	195,421		$	193,549		$	339,858		$	335,969			$	144,777		$	143,581		$	639,291		$	638,899
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014				2015			2014			2015			2014
	Cash interest	$	1,678		$	1,869		$	5,745		$	6,210			$	2,221		$	2,372		$	16,250		$	16,250
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,879			2,189			3,943			3,940				1,211			1,287			498			389
Total interest cost	$	3,557		$	4,058		$	9,688		$	10,150			$	3,432		3,659			$	16,748		$	16,639
The interest costs listed immediately above include the accretion of the initial equity component of the convertible notes (3.25% - $36,227; 6.00% - $68,695; and 5.50% - $21,815).
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 March 31, 2015, total future minimum payments on our capital leases were as follows:
Capital Leases	(In thousands)
Remainder of 2015	$	6,209
2016	8,279
2017	7,161
2018	5,772
2019	5,490
Thereafter	12,706
Total	$	45,617

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, our effective tax rates were (3.0)% and 2.2%, respectively. The March 31, 2015 effective tax rate was impacted primarily by a valuation allowance required in the U.S. as a result of tax losses generated during the quarter.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had 278,032,526 and 259,921,868 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively. As of these dates, we had 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized to be issued at a par value of $0.001 per share, and no outstanding shares of preferred stock.
	Warrants
	On September 11, 2014, as part of the 2014 Financings, we issued warrants to Oaktree to purchase up to an aggregate of 18,358,019 shares of our common stock (the “Penny Warrants”) with an exercise price of $0.01 per share, and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,119,340 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $2.04 per share.
	In February 2015, Oaktree exercised the Penny Warrants. As a result, based on the formula indicated below relative to the cashless exercise, which is applicable to both the Penny Warrants and the Strike Warrants, we issued a total of 18,071,175 shares of our common stock.
	The Strike Warrants may be exercised at any time until September 11, 2019 by Oaktree or any registered holder of the Strike Warrants on either a cash basis (i.e., physical exercise) or on a “cashless basis” by surrendering such warrants for a net number of shares of our common stock. With respect to the exercise of the Strike Warrants on a “cashless basis”, the number of shares of our common stock to be surrendered is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of our common stock underlying such Strike Warrants or any portion thereof being exercised (at the election of the registered holder), multiplied by the difference between the Fair Market Value and the warrant price by (y) the Fair Market Value. Fair Market Value means the average last sale price of a share of our common stock for the ten trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of exercise of such the Strike Warrants is sent to Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The exercise price and the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Strike Warrants are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations of our common stock. Subject to certain exceptions, including the issuance of shares of our common stock or other equity awards pursuant to our equity compensation plans, if we issue common stock (or common stock equivalents) at a purchase price less than the then-current exercise price of the Strike Warrants, the exercise price of the Strike Warrants will be subject to (i) full-ratchet anti-dilution protection for the first two-year period of the Strike Warrants and (ii) weighted-average anti-dilution protection for the remaining three-year period of the Strike Warrants.
	The Penny Warrants met the criteria for the equity classification and were recorded, at issuance, at a fair value of approximately $24.7 million, net of issuance costs, in "Additional paid-in capital" in the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity. The Strike Warrants, instead, were classified as a derivative liability because the exercise price may be adjusted for the issuance of additional shares of our common stock under certain circumstances. See Note 14 for more information on the Strike Warrants.
	Conversion of Preferred Stock
	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. The methodology to fair value our share-lending arrangements consists of an option pricing model used to determine a synthetic cost for borrowing our common stock 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 March 31, 2015, all of the Borrowed Shares we originally agreed to loan to MSCS are still outstanding, and the related unamortized issuance cost was included in "Other non-current assets" in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The following table provides certain other information on our share-lending arrangements as of March 31, 2015:
		2012 Borrowed Shares			2013 Borrowed Shares			Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	1,752		$	1,005		$	2,757
	Unamortized issuance cost	8,766			3,846			12,612
	The amount of non-cash interest cost recognized from the amortization of the issuance cost associated with the combined share-lending arrangements was $1.2 million during the first quarter of 2015. In response to a comment letter the SEC issued to us with respect to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, in the second quarter of 2014, we recorded an out-of-period adjustment to recognize the fair value of our share-lending arrangements as costs associated with the issuance of the convertible notes described above, with an offset to additional paid-in capital.
	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	The following table provides the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2014:
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(2,339	)	$	(984	)	$	(3,323	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	4,789			—			4,789
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,450		$	(984	)	$	1,466
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(6,610	)	$	159		$	(6,451	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(852		)	—			(852		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(7,462	)	$	159		$	(7,303	)
	There were no items reclassified from AOCI during the interim periods presented above.

Loss_per_Share

Loss per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss per Share	Loss per Share
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, 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 March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. 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 March 31, 2015 and 2014, our convertible notes were all antidilutive.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Operating lease obligations	$	7,340	$	2,299	$	3,637	$	695	$	709
	(b)	Purchase Commitments
	We entered into contractual commitments for the purchase of materials and services from various vendors, primarily in connection with capital projects performed at our Mountain Pass facility. Future payments for all purchase commitments at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Purchase obligations and other commitments	$	10,060	$	10,060	$	—	$	—	$	—
	(c)	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. A Consolidated Class Action Complaint filed on July 31, 2012 also named most of our Board members and some of our stockholders as defendants, along with other persons and entities. On March 31, 2015, the Colorado Federal District Court granted our motion to dismiss that Complaint without prejudice. The plaintiffs have until May 29, 2015 to amend their Complaint. 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, and oral arguments on the Motion to Dismiss were heard on January 16, 2015. The Delaware Chancery Court's decision on the Motion to Dismiss is pending.
	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 stay was filed and fully briefed. The Colorado Federal District Court granted the defendants' Motion to Stay all of the Colorado derivative lawsuits pending resolution of the purported Colorado class action lawsuit, and further stayed the new Colorado derivative lawsuit pending resolution of the purported New York class action lawsuit. The Colorado Federal District Court subsequently administratively closed all of the Colorado derivative lawsuits.
	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 named us and certain of our current and former executive officers. On March 12, 2015, the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order dismissing the lawsuit with prejudice. On April 1, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration of certain portions of the dismissal order. Our response to the reconsideration motion is due May 13, 2015. We believe that this lawsuit is without merit, and we intend to continue 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.
	(d)	Labor Contract
	At March 31, 2015, 282 employees, or approximately 60% of the workforce at our Mountain Pass facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America. Our contract with the United Steelworkers of America was ratified in March 2015.

Concentrations

Concentrations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Chemicals and Oxides Segment
	Sales of cerium products within the Chemicals and Oxides segment accounted for 14% and 10% of consolidated revenues in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no significant sales by customer in this segment in the same interim periods.
	Magnetic Materials and Alloys Segment
	Sales of Neo Powders™ within the Magnetic Materials and Alloys segment, relative to consolidated revenues, were 46% and 45% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Rare Metals Segment
	There were no significant sales by product or by customer at the Rare Metals segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions
	We supply Neo Powders™ 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™. 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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we purchased metals and received services from Keli for a total of $12.9 million and $16.9 million, respectively, and, as of March 31, 2015, we had a balance payable to Keli of $6.9 million. Transactions with all other related parties were nominal in these periods.

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
	Trade accounts receivable	$	(3,123	)	$	10,171
	Inventory	(40,013		)	(12,157		)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,046		)	(6,968		)
	Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	(4,649		)	(2,065		)
	Income tax payable	988			(52		)
	Interest payable	17,312			17,233
	Asset retirement obligation	(168		)	(1,125		)
	Accrued expenses	(2,664		)	(2,822		)
		$	(39,363	)	$	2,215

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	22,613	—		—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities:
	Springing Maturity on Term Loans	—		—		$	8,008
	Strike Warrants	—		—		552
	Share Purchase Agreement	—		—		6,495
		31-Dec-14
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	57,309	—		—
	Liabilities:
	Springing Maturity on Term Loans	—		—		$	7,292
	Strike Warrants	—		—		1,769
	Share Purchase Agreement	—		—		6,165
	Our financial assets classified in Level 1 consist of money market funds valued based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The fair value of our derivative liabilities is recorded in "Other long-term liabilities" in the balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The Springing Maturity on Term Loans is a derivative liability bifurcated from the Term Loans issued on September 11, 2014 in conjunction with the 2014 Financings. The technique used to fair value the Springing Maturity on Term Loans is the income approach based on a discounted cash flow model using, among others inputs, a probability factor of 10% representing the likelihood that the springing maturity dates would be triggered. The change in fair value of the Springing Maturity on Term Loans for the first quarter of 2015 resulted in a loss of approximately $0.7 million, which we recorded as interest expense in our condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
	The Strike Warrants were issued in conjunction with the 2014 Financings. The change in fair value of the Strike Warrants resulted in a gain of approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which we recorded as interest expense in our condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The technique used to fair value the Strike Warrants is the income approach based on a discounted cash flow model using, among others inputs, a 10% "Volatility Haircut" representing a discount to the full observed historical or implied volatility for an option on the stock.
	The share purchase agreement (“SPA”) relates to a contract 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 a nominal unrealized loss and gain for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which were recorded as interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The technique used to fair value the SPA is the income approach based on a discounted cash flow model using significant unobservable inputs. Changes to these inputs based on reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not significantly change amounts we recognized in our balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
	The following table presents the fair value of publicly traded financial liabilities we report at their carrying amount:
		31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
		Carrying Value		Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	3.25% Convertible Notes due June 2016	$	195,421	$	20,392		$	193,549	$	88,281
	6.00% Convertible Notes due September 2017	339,858		36,864			335,969		107,240
	5.50% Convertible Notes due February 2018	144,777		14,031			143,581		46,028
	10% Senior Notes due June 2020	639,291		330,850			638,899		357,500
	Total long-term debt	$	1,319,347	$	402,137		$	1,311,998	$	599,049
	The carrying amount of the financial liabilities listed above is comprised of the principal amount reduced by the unamortized underwriting discount. In addition, for each of our convertible notes the principal amount is further reduced by the unamortized discount representing the value of the respective equity components at issuance. 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. Our Debentures, Term Loans and Equipment Financings are not actively traded, and the difference between their carrying amount 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, bank loans and capital lease obligations approximate fair value and, therefore, have been excluded from the table above.

Subsidiary_Guarantor_Financial

Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 our 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 us 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 ours;
	-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 us 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 the Parent ("Molycorp, Inc.") 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.
		31-Mar-15
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,500		$	6,399		$	105,700		$	—		$	133,599
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			2,588			45,109			—			47,697
	Inventory	—			41,057			139,753			—			180,810
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,000			10,644			24,369			—			36,013
	Total current assets	22,500			60,688			314,931			—			398,119
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,756			29,457			—			—			31,213
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,557,738			133,313			—			1,691,051
	Inventory	—			24,724			—			—			24,724
	Intangible assets, net	—			360			211,366			—			211,726
	Investments	—			—			7,793			—			7,793
	Goodwill	—			—			102,808			—			102,808
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	—			90,398			—			(90,398		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,065,509			—			—			(2,065,509		)	—
	Other non-current assets	14,981			7,284			5,085			—			27,350
	Total non-current assets	2,082,246			1,709,961			460,365			(2,155,907		)	2,096,665
	Total assets	$	2,104,746		$	1,770,649		$	775,296		$	(2,155,907	)	$	2,494,784
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	11,932		$	23,170		$	—		$	35,102
	Accrued expenses	2,078			13,312			15,328			—			30,718
	Interest payable	27,490			446			248			—			28,184
	Debt and capital lease obligations	—			3,315			10,638			—			13,953
	Other current liabilities	—			315			5,376			—			5,691
	Total current liabilities	29,568			29,320			54,760			—			113,648
	Non-current liabilities:
	Asset retirement obligation	—			17,876			—			—			17,876
	Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			63,731			—			63,731
	Debt and capital lease obligations	1,365,417			148,451			56,933			—			1,570,801
	Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,189,473			639,135			(2,828,608		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	8,560			1,424			10,156			—			20,140
	Total non-current liabilities	1,373,977			2,357,224			769,955			(2,828,608		)	1,672,548
	Total liabilities	$	1,403,545		$	2,386,544		$	824,715		$	(2,828,608	)	$	1,786,196
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	278			—			—			—			278
	Additional paid-in capital	2,247,199			132,335			534,440			(666,775		)	2,247,199
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,466			—			1,465			(1,465		)	1,466
	Accumulated deficit	(1,547,742		)	(748,230		)	(592,711		)	1,340,941			(1,547,742		)
	Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	701,201			(615,895		)	(56,806		)	672,701			701,201
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			7,387			—			7,387
	Total stockholders’ equity	701,201			(615,895		)	(49,419		)	672,701			708,588
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,104,746		$	1,770,649		$	775,296		$	(2,155,907	)	$	2,494,784
		31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,650		$	5,329		$	107,706		$	—		$	211,685
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			1,924			42,651			—			44,575
	Inventory	—			36,956			132,367			—			169,323
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			9,673			19,659			—			29,332
	Total current assets	98,650			53,882			302,383			—			454,915
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,756			29,322			—			—			31,078
Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,575,670			132,300			—			1,707,970
Inventory	—			25,127			—			—			25,127
Intangible assets, net	—			377			215,494			—			215,871
Investments	—			785			8,016			—			8,801
Goodwill	—			—			102,808			—			102,808
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	—			91,672			—			(91,672		)	—
Intercompany accounts receivable	2,063,568			—			—			(2,063,568		)	—
Other non-current assets	16,421			7,792			5,203			—			29,416
Total non-current assets	2,081,745			1,730,745			463,821			(2,155,240		)	2,121,071
Total assets	$	2,180,395		$	1,784,627		$	766,204		$	(2,155,240	)	$	2,575,986
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	14,641		$	26,201		$	—		$	40,842
Accrued expenses	1			15,705			17,960			—			33,666
Interest payable	17,323			551			426			—			18,300
Debt and capital lease obligations	—			3,234			9,326			—			12,560
Other current liabilities	—			263			4,423			—			4,686
Total current liabilities	17,324			34,394			58,336			—			110,054
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	—			17,799			—			—			17,799
Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			63,802			—			63,802
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,357,003			146,805			55,973			—			1,559,781
Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,134,041			658,986			(2,793,027		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	9,061			1,424			9,762			—			20,247
Total non-current liabilities	1,366,064			2,300,069			788,523			(2,793,027		)	1,661,629
Total liabilities	$	1,383,388		$	2,334,463		$	846,859		$	(2,793,027	)	$	1,771,683
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	260			—			—			—			260
Additional paid-in capital	2,245,478			132,335			534,440			(666,775		)	2,245,478
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,323		)	—			(3,323		)	3,323			(3,323		)
Accumulated deficit	(1,445,408		)	(682,171		)	(619,068		)	1,301,239			(1,445,408		)
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	797,007			(549,836		)	(87,951		)	637,787			797,007
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			7,296			—			7,296
Total stockholders’ equity	797,007			(549,836		)	(80,655		)	637,787			804,303
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,180,395		$	1,784,627		$	766,204		$	(2,155,240	)	$	2,575,986
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	12,508		$	102,477		$	(8,561	)	$	106,424
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(42,481		)	(71,954		)	8,561			(105,874		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(21,127		)	(4,153		)	—			(25,280		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(51,100		)	26,370			—			(24,730		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(3,995		)	(8,228		)	(9,234		)	—			(21,457		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(913		)	(4,660		)	—			(5,573		)
Research and development	—			(139		)	(3,002		)	—			(3,141		)
Operating (loss) income	(3,995		)	(60,380		)	9,474			—			(54,901		)
Other (expense) income	(31,842		)	(108		)	34,073			—			2,123
Interest expense	(36,837		)	(3,681		)	(5,782		)	—			(46,300		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,767			(611		)	(8,156		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(38,427		)	(1,275		)	—			39,702			—
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity earnings	(102,334		)	(66,055		)	29,609			39,702			(99,078		)
Income tax expense	—			(4		)	(2,964		)	—			(2,968		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			—			(224		)	—			(224		)
Net (loss) income	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	26,421			39,702			(102,270		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(64		)	—			(64		)
Net (loss) income attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,357		$	39,702		$	(102,334	)
Net (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,421		$	39,702		$	(102,270	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			4,789			—			4,789
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	31,146			39,702			(97,545		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			64			—			64
	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	17,230		$	113,733		$	(12,437	)	$	118,526
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(53,379		)	(84,531		)	12,437			(125,473		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(12,127		)	(4,020		)	—			(16,147		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(48,276		)	25,182			—			(23,094		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(240		)	(8,158		)	(9,558		)	—			(17,956		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,045		)	(6,156		)	—			(7,201		)
Research and development	—			(143		)	(2,623		)	—			(2,766		)
Operating (loss) income	(240		)	(57,622		)	6,845			—			(51,017		)
Other (expense) income	(18,271		)	16			18,729			—			474
Interest (expense) income	(34,555		)	(1,205		)	121			—			(35,639		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,355			(504		)	(9,851		)	—			—
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	(43,350		)	323			—			43,027			—
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity earnings	(86,061		)	(58,992		)	15,844			43,027			(86,182		)
Income tax benefit	—			—			1,907			—			1,907
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(1,707		)	(16		)	—			(1,723		)
Net (loss) income	(86,061		)	(60,699		)	17,735			43,027			(85,998		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(63		)	—			(63		)
Net (loss) income attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	17,672		$	43,027		$	(86,061	)
Net (loss) income	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	17,735		$	43,027		$	(85,998	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(852		)	—			(852		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	16,883		$	43,027		$	(86,850	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(86,061		)	(60,699		)	16,820			43,027			(86,913		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			63			—			63
	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	16,883		$	43,027		$	(86,850	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(19,985	)	$	(50,428	)	$	(2,472	)	$	—		$	(72,885	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	(60,020		)	(3,673		)	—			63,693			—
Repayments from non-guarantor	2,000			—			—			(2,000		)	—
Loans to parent	—			—			(4,956		)	4,956			—
Loans to guarantors	(3,000		)	—			—			3,000			—
Repayments from parent	—			—			1,101			(1,101		)	—
Capital expenditures	—			(4,853		)	(1,480		)	—			(6,333		)
Other investing activities	—			785			162			—			947
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,020		)	(7,741		)	(5,173		)	68,548			(5,386		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	—			—			979			—			979
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(40		)	—			(40		)
Repayments to parent	—			—			(2,000		)	2,000			—
Repayments to non-guarantors	(1,101		)	—			—			1,101			—
Borrowing from parent	—			—			3,000			(3,000		)	—
Borrowing from non-guarantors	4,956			—			—			(4,956		)	—
Intercompany advances owed	—			60,020			3,673			(63,693		)	—
Other financing activities	—			(781		)	—			—			(781		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	3,855			59,239			5,612			(68,548		)	158
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			27			—			27
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(77,150		)	1,070			(2,006		)	—			(78,086		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	98,650			5,329			107,706			—			211,685
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	21,500		$	6,399		$	105,700		$	—		$	133,599
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(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	$	(33,089	)	$	(829	)	$	(11,867	)	$	—		$	(45,785	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	(55,041		)	—			—			55,041			—
Repayments from non-guarantor	32,000			—			—			(32,000		)	—
Capital expenditures	—			(27,943		)	(1,809		)	—			(29,752		)
Other investing activities	—			—			493			—			493
Net cash used in investing activities	(23,041		)	(27,943		)	(1,316		)	23,041			(29,259		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	—			—			(489		)	—			(489		)
Payments of preferred dividends	(2,846		)	—			—			—			(2,846		)
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(435		)	—			(435		)
Repayments to parent	—			—			(32,000		)	32,000			—
Intercompany advances owed	—			25,238			29,803			(55,041		)	—
Other financing activities	—			1,323			—			—			1,323
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,846		)	26,561			(3,121		)	(23,041		)	(2,447		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(776		)	—			(776		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(58,976		)	(2,211		)	(17,080		)	—			(78,267		)
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	$	110,169		$	4,256		$	121,625		$	—		$	236,050

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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 March 31, 2015, and for all periods presented. While the December 31, 2014 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, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015.
	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. All other investments are accounted for at cost. Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period.
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 3 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The guidance in the new standard is limited to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. Prior to the issuance of the standard, debt issuance costs were required to be presented in the balance sheet as a deferred charge (i.e., an asset). For public entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis.
	We intend to adopt ASU 2015-03 in our financial statements for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2016. As of March 31, 2015, our other non-current assets included deferred charges related to debt issuance costs of approximately $15.1 million. The retrospective adoption of this new standard will have the effect of presenting the deferred charges balance as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 as a contra liability to our debt and capital lease obligations, rather than a non-current asset. The adoption of this new standard will have no impact to our statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss in all periods presented.
	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 intend to adopt ASU 2014-09 in our financial statements for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2017. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard has not yet been determined.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment information
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	2,514		$	37,288		$	50,508		$	16,114					$	—		$	106,424
	Inter-segment	8,315			5,508			1,616			15						(15,454		)	—
	Total revenues	$	10,829		$	42,796		$	52,124		$	16,129					$	(15,454	)	$	106,424
	OIBDA	$	(34,848	)	$	5,737		$	12,247		$	1,594
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(21,954		)	(2,283		)	(4,156		)	(2,405		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(56,802	)	$	3,454		$	8,091		$	(811	)	$	(12,079	)	$	3,246		$	(54,901	)
	Other expense																			2,123
	Interest expense																			(46,300		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(99,078	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Resources			Chemicals and Oxides			Magnetic Materials and Alloys			Rare Metals			Corporate and other (a)			Eliminations(b)			Total Molycorp, Inc.
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	External	$	3,111		$	40,271		$	54,720		$	20,424					$	—		$	118,526
	Inter-segment	12,453			6,285			1,218			—						(19,956		)	—
	Total revenues	$	15,564		$	46,556		$	55,938		$	20,424					$	(19,956	)	$	118,526
	OIBDA	$	(36,445	)	$	3,299		$	13,676		$	(70	)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	(13,091		)	(3,872		)	(4,237		)	(2,093		)
	Operating (loss) income	$	(49,536	)	$	(573	)	$	9,439		$	(2,163	)	$	(7,109	)	$	(1,075	)	$	(51,017	)
	Other expense																			474
	Interest expense																			(35,639		)
	Loss before income taxes and equity earnings																			$	(86,182	)
	a.	Includes business development costs, personnel costs, stock-based compensation, accounting and legal fees, occupancy expense, information technology costs and interest expense.
	b.	Consists of inter-segment sales and gross profits eliminations as well as eliminations of lower of cost or market adjustments related to inter-segment inventory.

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventory	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our inventory consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	Raw materials	$	54,648	$	47,796
	Work in process	26,205		24,901
	Finished goods	71,312		67,795
	Materials and supplies	28,645		28,831
	Total current	$	180,810	$	169,323
	Long-term:
	Raw materials	$	24,724	$	25,127
	Total long-term	$	24,724	$	25,127
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 March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Abnormal production costs expensed in the period (a)	$	28,501	$	24,985
	Write-down to the lower of cost or market (b)	28,868		16,161
	Write-downs of stockpile inventory (c)	—		1,210
	Total	$	57,369	$	42,356
	(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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Land	$	13,507		$	13,121
	Land improvements	305,119			305,119
	Buildings and improvements	815,756			811,418
	Plant and equipment	707,579			623,453
	Vehicles	3,056			2,884
	Computer software	12,507			12,268
	Furniture and fixtures	1,040			1,039
	Construction in progress (a)	16,129			80,699
	Natural gas delivery facility under capital lease	15,658			15,658
	Mining equipment under capital lease	10,982			10,982
	Mineral properties	24,539			23,669
	Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,925,872			1,900,310
	Less accumulated depreciation	(234,821		)	(192,340		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,691,051		$	1,707,970
	(a)	Primarily related to expenditures at the Mountain Pass facility.

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Current				Non-Current			Current				Non-Current
		(In thousands)
	Bank loans due November 2015 - June 2017	$	10,637			$	90		$	9,326			$	91
	3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016	—				195,421			—				193,549
	6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017	—				339,858			—				335,969
	5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017	—				1,745			—				2,075
	5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018	—				144,777			—				143,581
	12.00% Term Loans, due September 2019	—				101,168			—				98,812
	12.00% Equipment Financing, due September 2019	—				130,103			—				127,594
	10% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020	—				639,291			—				638,899
	Total debt	10,637				1,552,453			9,326				1,540,570
	Capital lease obligations	3,316				18,348			3,234				19,211
	Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	13,953			$	1,570,801		$	12,560			$	1,559,781
	Interest costs on the Term Loans and the Equipment Financing were as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		12.00% Term Loans				12.00% Equipment Financing
		(In thousands)
	Cash interest	$	2,332			$	2,484
	PIK interest	1,410				1,696
	Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,246				1,429
	Total interest cost	$	4,988			$	5,609
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Scheduled minimum debt repayments, excluding capital lease obligations, were as follows at March 31, 2015:
	Debt maturities, excluding capital leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2015	$	7,028
	2016	210,154
	2017	384,772
	2018	161,500
	2019	321,154
	Thereafter	650,000
	Total	$	1,734,608
	As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to our indebtedness
Reconciliation of Principal to Net Carrying Amount of Long-term Debt	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value of the Term Loans and the Equipment Financing at March 31, 2015:
		12.00% Term Loans						12.00% Equipment Financing
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	113,268		$	111,858		$	143,689		$	141,993
	Unamortized debt discount	(12,100		)	(13,046		)	(13,586		)	(14,399		)
	Net carrying amount	$	101,168		$	98,812		$	130,103		$	127,594
Schedule of Long-term Convertible Debt	The following table presents a reconciliation of the principal amount to the net carrying value for each of our Convertible Notes and our 10% Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and provides the interest cost of each instrument for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		3.25% Convertible Notes						6.00% Convertible Notes							5.50% Convertible Notes						10% Senior Notes
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,				March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014				2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Principal amount	$	206,505		$	206,505		$	383,000		$	383,000			$	161,500		$	161,500		$	650,000		$	650,000
	Unamortized debt discount	(11,084		)	(12,956		)	(43,142		)	(47,031		)		(16,723		)	(17,919		)	(10,709		)	(11,101		)
	Net carrying amount	$	195,421		$	193,549		$	339,858		$	335,969			$	144,777		$	143,581		$	639,291		$	638,899
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014				2015			2014			2015			2014
	Cash interest	$	1,678		$	1,869		$	5,745		$	6,210			$	2,221		$	2,372		$	16,250		$	16,250
	Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,879			2,189			3,943			3,940				1,211			1,287			498			389
	Total interest cost	$	3,557		$	4,058		$	9,688		$	10,150			$	3,432		3,659			$	16,748		$	16,639
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	At March 31, 2015, total future minimum payments on our capital leases were as follows:
	Capital Leases	(In thousands)
	Remainder of 2015	$	6,209
	2016	8,279
	2017	7,161
	2018	5,772
	2019	5,490
	Thereafter	12,706
	Total	$	45,617

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Lending Arrangements	The following table provides certain other information on our share-lending arrangements as of March 31, 2015:
		2012 Borrowed Shares			2013 Borrowed Shares			Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	1,752		$	1,005		$	2,757
	Unamortized issuance cost	8,766			3,846			12,612
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table provides the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2014:
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(2,339	)	$	(984	)	$	(3,323	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	4,789			—			4,789
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,450		$	(984	)	$	1,466
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Postretirement benefit liability			Accumulated other comprehensive loss
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(6,610	)	$	159		$	(6,451	)
	Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(852		)	—			(852		)
	Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	—			—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(7,462	)	$	159		$	(7,303	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases	Remaining annual minimum payments under these leases at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Operating lease obligations	$	7,340	$	2,299	$	3,637	$	695	$	709
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule	Future payments for all purchase commitments at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Total		Less Than		1 - 3 Years		4 - 5 Years		More Than
				1 Year						5 Years
		(In thousands)
	Purchase obligations and other commitments	$	10,060	$	10,060	$	—	$	—	$	—

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets1

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
	Trade accounts receivable	$	(3,123	)	$	10,171
	Inventory	(40,013		)	(12,157		)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,046		)	(6,968		)
	Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	(4,649		)	(2,065		)
	Income tax payable	988			(52		)
	Interest payable	17,312			17,233
	Asset retirement obligation	(168		)	(1,125		)
	Accrued expenses	(2,664		)	(2,822		)
		$	(39,363	)	$	2,215

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	22,613	—		—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities:
	Springing Maturity on Term Loans	—		—		$	8,008
	Strike Warrants	—		—		552
	Share Purchase Agreement	—		—		6,495
		31-Dec-14
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	57,309	—		—
	Liabilities:
	Springing Maturity on Term Loans	—		—		$	7,292
	Strike Warrants	—		—		1,769
	Share Purchase Agreement	—		—		6,165
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The following table presents the fair value of publicly traded financial liabilities we report at their carrying amount:
		31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
		Carrying Value		Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	3.25% Convertible Notes due June 2016	$	195,421	$	20,392		$	193,549	$	88,281
	6.00% Convertible Notes due September 2017	339,858		36,864			335,969		107,240
	5.50% Convertible Notes due February 2018	144,777		14,031			143,581		46,028
	10% Senior Notes due June 2020	639,291		330,850			638,899		357,500
	Total long-term debt	$	1,319,347	$	402,137		$	1,311,998	$	599,049

Subsidiary_Guarantor_Financial1

Subsidiary Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet
		31-Mar-15
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,500		$	6,399		$	105,700		$	—		$	133,599
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			2,588			45,109			—			47,697
	Inventory	—			41,057			139,753			—			180,810
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,000			10,644			24,369			—			36,013
	Total current assets	22,500			60,688			314,931			—			398,119
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,756			29,457			—			—			31,213
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,557,738			133,313			—			1,691,051
	Inventory	—			24,724			—			—			24,724
	Intangible assets, net	—			360			211,366			—			211,726
	Investments	—			—			7,793			—			7,793
	Goodwill	—			—			102,808			—			102,808
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	—			90,398			—			(90,398		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,065,509			—			—			(2,065,509		)	—
	Other non-current assets	14,981			7,284			5,085			—			27,350
	Total non-current assets	2,082,246			1,709,961			460,365			(2,155,907		)	2,096,665
	Total assets	$	2,104,746		$	1,770,649		$	775,296		$	(2,155,907	)	$	2,494,784
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	11,932		$	23,170		$	—		$	35,102
	Accrued expenses	2,078			13,312			15,328			—			30,718
	Interest payable	27,490			446			248			—			28,184
	Debt and capital lease obligations	—			3,315			10,638			—			13,953
	Other current liabilities	—			315			5,376			—			5,691
	Total current liabilities	29,568			29,320			54,760			—			113,648
	Non-current liabilities:
	Asset retirement obligation	—			17,876			—			—			17,876
	Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			63,731			—			63,731
	Debt and capital lease obligations	1,365,417			148,451			56,933			—			1,570,801
	Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,189,473			639,135			(2,828,608		)	—
	Other non-current liabilities	8,560			1,424			10,156			—			20,140
	Total non-current liabilities	1,373,977			2,357,224			769,955			(2,828,608		)	1,672,548
	Total liabilities	$	1,403,545		$	2,386,544		$	824,715		$	(2,828,608	)	$	1,786,196
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	278			—			—			—			278
	Additional paid-in capital	2,247,199			132,335			534,440			(666,775		)	2,247,199
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,466			—			1,465			(1,465		)	1,466
	Accumulated deficit	(1,547,742		)	(748,230		)	(592,711		)	1,340,941			(1,547,742		)
	Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	701,201			(615,895		)	(56,806		)	672,701			701,201
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			7,387			—			7,387
	Total stockholders’ equity	701,201			(615,895		)	(49,419		)	672,701			708,588
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,104,746		$	1,770,649		$	775,296		$	(2,155,907	)	$	2,494,784
		31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,650		$	5,329		$	107,706		$	—		$	211,685
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			1,924			42,651			—			44,575
	Inventory	—			36,956			132,367			—			169,323
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			9,673			19,659			—			29,332
	Total current assets	98,650			53,882			302,383			—			454,915
	Non-current assets:
	Deposits	1,756			29,322			—			—			31,078
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			1,575,670			132,300			—			1,707,970
	Inventory	—			25,127			—			—			25,127
	Intangible assets, net	—			377			215,494			—			215,871
	Investments	—			785			8,016			—			8,801
	Goodwill	—			—			102,808			—			102,808
	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	—			91,672			—			(91,672		)	—
	Intercompany accounts receivable	2,063,568			—			—			(2,063,568		)	—
Other non-current assets	16,421			7,792			5,203			—			29,416
Total non-current assets	2,081,745			1,730,745			463,821			(2,155,240		)	2,121,071
Total assets	$	2,180,395		$	1,784,627		$	766,204		$	(2,155,240	)	$	2,575,986
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	—		$	14,641		$	26,201		$	—		$	40,842
Accrued expenses	1			15,705			17,960			—			33,666
Interest payable	17,323			551			426			—			18,300
Debt and capital lease obligations	—			3,234			9,326			—			12,560
Other current liabilities	—			263			4,423			—			4,686
Total current liabilities	17,324			34,394			58,336			—			110,054
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	—			17,799			—			—			17,799
Deferred tax liabilities	—			—			63,802			—			63,802
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,357,003			146,805			55,973			—			1,559,781
Intercompany accounts payable	—			2,134,041			658,986			(2,793,027		)	—
Other non-current liabilities	9,061			1,424			9,762			—			20,247
Total non-current liabilities	1,366,064			2,300,069			788,523			(2,793,027		)	1,661,629
Total liabilities	$	1,383,388		$	2,334,463		$	846,859		$	(2,793,027	)	$	1,771,683
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	260			—			—			—			260
Additional paid-in capital	2,245,478			132,335			534,440			(666,775		)	2,245,478
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,323		)	—			(3,323		)	3,323			(3,323		)
Accumulated deficit	(1,445,408		)	(682,171		)	(619,068		)	1,301,239			(1,445,408		)
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	797,007			(549,836		)	(87,951		)	637,787			797,007
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			7,296			—			7,296
Total stockholders’ equity	797,007			(549,836		)	(80,655		)	637,787			804,303
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,180,395		$	1,784,627		$	766,204		$	(2,155,240	)	$	2,575,986
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
Revenues	$	—		$	12,508		$	102,477		$	(8,561	)	$	106,424
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(42,481		)	(71,954		)	8,561			(105,874		)
Depreciation and amortization	—			(21,127		)	(4,153		)	—			(25,280		)
Gross (loss) profit	—			(51,100		)	26,370			—			(24,730		)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(3,995		)	(8,228		)	(9,234		)	—			(21,457		)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(913		)	(4,660		)	—			(5,573		)
Research and development	—			(139		)	(3,002		)	—			(3,141		)
Operating (loss) income	(3,995		)	(60,380		)	9,474			—			(54,901		)
Other (expense) income	(31,842		)	(108		)	34,073			—			2,123
Interest expense	(36,837		)	(3,681		)	(5,782		)	—			(46,300		)
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,767			(611		)	(8,156		)	—			—
Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(38,427		)	(1,275		)	—			39,702			—
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity earnings	(102,334		)	(66,055		)	29,609			39,702			(99,078		)
Income tax expense	—			(4		)	(2,964		)	—			(2,968		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	—			—			(224		)	—			(224		)
Net (loss) income	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	26,421			39,702			(102,270		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(64		)	—			(64		)
Net (loss) income attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,357		$	39,702		$	(102,334	)
Net (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,421		$	39,702		$	(102,270	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			4,789			—			4,789
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	31,146			39,702			(97,545		)
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			64			—			64
	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement and Comprehensive Income
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	12,508		$	102,477		$	(8,561	)	$	106,424
	Costs of sales:
	Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(42,481		)	(71,954		)	8,561			(105,874		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(21,127		)	(4,153		)	—			(25,280		)
	Gross (loss) profit	—			(51,100		)	26,370			—			(24,730		)
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative	(3,995		)	(8,228		)	(9,234		)	—			(21,457		)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(913		)	(4,660		)	—			(5,573		)
	Research and development	—			(139		)	(3,002		)	—			(3,141		)
	Operating (loss) income	(3,995		)	(60,380		)	9,474			—			(54,901		)
	Other (expense) income	(31,842		)	(108		)	34,073			—			2,123
	Interest expense	(36,837		)	(3,681		)	(5,782		)	—			(46,300		)
	Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,767			(611		)	(8,156		)	—			—
	Equity loss from consolidated subsidiaries	(38,427		)	(1,275		)	—			39,702			—
	(Loss) income before income taxes and equity earnings	(102,334		)	(66,055		)	29,609			39,702			(99,078		)
	Income tax expense	—			(4		)	(2,964		)	—			(2,968		)
	Equity in loss of affiliates	—			—			(224		)	—			(224		)
	Net (loss) income	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	26,421			39,702			(102,270		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(64		)	—			(64		)
	Net (loss) income attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,357		$	39,702		$	(102,334	)
	Net (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	26,421		$	39,702		$	(102,270	)
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			4,789			—			4,789
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
	Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
	Molycorp stockholders	(102,334		)	(66,059		)	31,146			39,702			(97,545		)
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			64			—			64
		$	(102,334	)	$	(66,059	)	$	31,210		$	39,702		$	(97,481	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	17,230		$	113,733		$	(12,437	)	$	118,526
	Costs of sales:
	Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	—			(53,379		)	(84,531		)	12,437			(125,473		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(12,127		)	(4,020		)	—			(16,147		)
	Gross (loss) profit	—			(48,276		)	25,182			—			(23,094		)
	Operating expenses:
	Selling, general and administrative	(240		)	(8,158		)	(9,558		)	—			(17,956		)
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	—			(1,045		)	(6,156		)	—			(7,201		)
	Research and development	—			(143		)	(2,623		)	—			(2,766		)
	Operating (loss) income	(240		)	(57,622		)	6,845			—			(51,017		)
	Other (expense) income	(18,271		)	16			18,729			—			474
	Interest (expense) income	(34,555		)	(1,205		)	121			—			(35,639		)
	Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	10,355			(504		)	(9,851		)	—			—
	Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	(43,350		)	323			—			43,027			—
	(Loss) income before income taxes and equity earnings	(86,061		)	(58,992		)	15,844			43,027			(86,182		)
	Income tax benefit	—			—			1,907			—			1,907
	Equity in loss of affiliates	—			(1,707		)	(16		)	—			(1,723		)
	Net (loss) income	(86,061		)	(60,699		)	17,735			43,027			(85,998		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(63		)	—			(63		)
	Net (loss) income attributable to Molycorp stockholders	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	17,672		$	43,027		$	(86,061	)
	Net (loss) income	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	17,735		$	43,027		$	(85,998	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(852		)	—			(852		)
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	16,883		$	43,027		$	(86,850	)
	Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
	Molycorp stockholders	(86,061		)	(60,699		)	16,820			43,027			(86,913		)
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			63			—			63
		$	(86,061	)	$	(60,699	)	$	16,883		$	43,027		$	(86,850	)
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		(In thousands)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Molycorp, Inc. consolidated
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(19,985	)	$	(50,428	)	$	(2,472	)	$	—		$	(72,885	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Intercompany advances made	(60,020		)	(3,673		)	—			63,693			—
	Repayments from non-guarantor	2,000			—			—			(2,000		)	—
	Loans to parent	—			—			(4,956		)	4,956			—
	Loans to guarantors	(3,000		)	—			—			3,000			—
	Repayments from parent	—			—			1,101			(1,101		)	—
	Capital expenditures	—			(4,853		)	(1,480		)	—			(6,333		)
	Other investing activities	—			785			162			—			947
	Net cash used in investing activities	(61,020		)	(7,741		)	(5,173		)	68,548			(5,386		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of debt	—			—			979			—			979
	Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(40		)	—			(40		)
	Repayments to parent	—			—			(2,000		)	2,000			—
	Repayments to non-guarantors	(1,101		)	—			—			1,101			—
	Borrowing from parent	—			—			3,000			(3,000		)	—
	Borrowing from non-guarantors	4,956			—			—			(4,956		)	—
	Intercompany advances owed	—			60,020			3,673			(63,693		)	—
	Other financing activities	—			(781		)	—			—			(781		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	3,855			59,239			5,612			(68,548		)	158
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			27			—			27
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(77,150		)	1,070			(2,006		)	—			(78,086		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	98,650			5,329			107,706			—			211,685
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	21,500		$	6,399		$	105,700		$	—		$	133,599
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		(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	$	(33,089	)	$	(829	)	$	(11,867	)	$	—		$	(45,785	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Intercompany advances made	(55,041		)	—			—			55,041			—
	Repayments from non-guarantor	32,000			—			—			(32,000		)	—
	Capital expenditures	—			(27,943		)	(1,809		)	—			(29,752		)
	Other investing activities	—			—			493			—			493
	Net cash used in investing activities	(23,041		)	(27,943		)	(1,316		)	23,041			(29,259		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of debt	—			—			(489		)	—			(489		)
	Payments of preferred dividends	(2,846		)	—			—			—			(2,846		)
	Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(435		)	—			(435		)
	Repayments to parent	—			—			(32,000		)	32,000			—
	Intercompany advances owed	—			25,238			29,803			(55,041		)	—
	Other financing activities	—			1,323			—			—			1,323
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,846		)	26,561			(3,121		)	(23,041		)	(2,447		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(776		)	—			(776		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(58,976		)	(2,211		)	(17,080		)	—			(78,267		)
	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	$	110,169		$	4,256		$	121,625		$	—		$	236,050

Going_Concern_Details

Going Concern (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 06, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Principal amount of outstanding debt			$1,700,000,000
Expected interest payments			124,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents			133,599,000		211,685,000	236,050,000	314,317,000
Financing commitment capacity	400,000,000
Debt conversion, converted instrument, shares issued		15,056,603
12.00% Term Loans and 12.00% Equipment Financing, Senior Secured Notes
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Initial gross proceeds from Financings				250,000,000
Financing Available to be Drawn until April 30, 2016
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Financing commitment capacity				149,800,000
Financing available if conditions are met				134,800,000
Molycorp Mountain Pass facility
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Estimated future capital expenditures remainder of fiscal year			35,000,000
Estimated capital expenditures in next fiscal year			20,000,000
Maintenance and Other Expansion Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Estimated future capital expenditures remainder of fiscal year			17,000,000
Estimated capital expenditures in next fiscal year			20,000,000
Convertible Debt
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Debt instrument, obligation to offer to repurchase if contingencies are not met, equal to percent of aggregate principal plus accrued and unpaid interest								100.00%
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Principal amount of outstanding debt			206,505,000		206,505,000
Principal amount			206,505,000
Interest rate			3.25%
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Principal amount of outstanding debt		11,000,000	161,500,000		161,500,000
Interest rate			5.50%
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Principal amount of outstanding debt		27,000,000	383,000,000		383,000,000
Interest rate			6.00%						6.00%
Secured Debt | Magnequench 12% Term Loan
Capital Expenditures [Line Items]
Unused borrowing capacity, amount				$15,000,000

Basis_of_Presentation_Narrativ

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cumulative translation gain	$4.50
Deferred debt issuance costs		$15.10

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	4
Revenues	$106,424	$118,526
Total revenues	106,424	118,526
Operating loss	-54,901	-51,017
Other income	2,123	474
Interest expense	-46,300	-35,639
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-99,078	-86,182
Eliminations
Segment Information
Total revenues	-15,454	-19,956
Operating loss	3,246	-1,075
Reportable Segments | Resources
Segment Information
Revenues	2,514	3,111
Total revenues	10,829	15,564
OIBDA	-34,848	-36,445
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-21,954	-13,091
Operating loss	-56,802	-49,536
Reportable Segments | Chemicals and Oxides
Segment Information
Revenues	37,288	40,271
Total revenues	42,796	46,556
OIBDA	5,737	3,299
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-2,283	-3,872
Operating loss	3,454	-573
Reportable Segments | Magnetic Materials and Alloys
Segment Information
Revenues	50,508	54,720
Total revenues	52,124	55,938
OIBDA	12,247	13,676
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-4,156	-4,237
Operating loss	8,091	9,439
Reportable Segments | Rare Metals
Segment Information
Revenues	16,114	20,424
Total revenues	16,129	20,424
OIBDA	1,594	-70
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-2,405	-2,093
Operating loss	-811	-2,163
Eliminations | Resources
Segment Information
Revenues	8,315	12,453
Eliminations | Chemicals and Oxides
Segment Information
Revenues	5,508	6,285
Eliminations | Magnetic Materials and Alloys
Segment Information
Revenues	1,616	1,218
Eliminations | Rare Metals
Segment Information
Revenues	15	0
Eliminations | Eliminations
Segment Information
Revenues	-15,454	-19,956
Corporate and other | Corporate and other
Segment Information
Operating loss	($12,079)	($7,109)

Inventory_Schedule_of_Inventor

Inventory - Schedule of Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current:
Raw materials	$54,648	$47,796
Work in process	26,205	24,901
Finished goods	71,312	67,795
Materials and supplies	28,645	28,831
Total current	180,810	169,323
Long-term:
Raw materials	24,724	25,127
Total long-term	$24,724	$25,127

Inventory_Schedule_of_Charges_

Inventory - Schedule of Charges to Cost of Sales (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory [Line Items]
Abnormal production costs expensed in the period	$28,501	$24,985
Inventory write-downs	28,868	17,371
Total	57,369	42,356
Rare earth metals
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory write-downs	28,868	16,161
Stockpile
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory write-downs	$0	$1,210

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n2

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized expenditures related to plant modernization and other capitalized costs	$3,500,000	$12,300,000
Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,925,872,000		1,900,310,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-234,821,000		-192,340,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,691,051,000		1,707,970,000
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	13,507,000		13,121,000
Land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	305,119,000		305,119,000
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	815,756,000		811,418,000
Plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	707,579,000		623,453,000
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	3,056,000		2,884,000
Computer software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	12,507,000		12,268,000
Furnitures and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	1,040,000		1,039,000
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	16,129,000		80,699,000
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
Mining equipment under capital lease
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	10,982,000		10,982,000
Mineral properties
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment at cost	$24,539,000		$23,669,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Summary of Current and Non-Current Portions (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012	Sep. 11, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of debt outstanding	$10,637	$9,326
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	1,552,453	1,540,570
Capital lease obligations, current	3,316	3,234
Capital lease obligations, Noncurrent	18,348	19,211
Total debt and Capital lease obligations, Current	13,953	12,560
Total debt and Capital lease obligations, Non-Current	1,570,801	1,559,781
Notes Payable to Banks | Bank loans due between 2015 and 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of debt outstanding	10,637	9,326
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	90	91
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.25%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	195,421	193,549
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%		6.00%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	339,858	335,969
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	144,777	143,581
Convertible Subordinated Debt | 5.00% Debentures, net of discount, due December 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.00%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	1,745	2,075
Secured Debt | 12.00% Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				12.00%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	101,168	98,812
Secured Debt | 12.00% Equipment Financing
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	130,103	127,594
Senior Notes | 10.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	10.00%
Current portion of debt outstanding	0	0
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	639,291	638,899
Senior Notes | 12% Senior Secured Notes, Term Loans, Due September 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	12.00%
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	101,168	98,812
Senior Notes | 12% Senior Secured Notes for Equipment Financing, Due September 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	12.00%
Noncurrent portion of debt outstanding	$130,103	$127,594

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat3

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Debt Maturities and Weighted Average Interest Rate (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt maturities, excluding capital leases
Remainder of 2015	7,028
2016	210,154
2017	384,772
2018	161,500
2019	321,154
Thereafter	650,000
Total	1,734,608
Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.10%

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat4

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - 2014 Financings (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 11, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012
12.00% Term Loans and 12.00% Equipment Financing, Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Principal Amount of Debt Secured by the Pari Passu Collateral		$300,000,000
Secured Debt | 12% Parent Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt including Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	185,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	50,200,000
Unused borrowing capacity, amount	134,800,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing, Availability Contingent Upon Achieving Performance Targets	50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Condition to be Met for Two Consecutive Fiscal Quarters, Minimum Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization	20,000,000
Debt Instrument, Condition to be Met, Production Equal To or Greater Than	4,000
Secured Debt | Magnequench 12% Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt including Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	75,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	60,000,000
Unused borrowing capacity, amount	15,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing, Availability Contingent Upon Achieving Performance Targets	5,000,000
Secured Debt | 12.00% Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage, Payment in Cash	7.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage, Payment in Kind (PIK) Interest	5.00%
Interest rate	12.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	1.00%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Percent of Principal, Prior to First Anniversary	43.80%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Percent of Principal, Prior to Second Anniversary	33.70%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Percent of Principal, Prior to Third Anniversary	23.00%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Percent of Principal, Prior to Fourth Anniversary	11.50%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Percent of Principal, After to Fourth Anniversary	3.00%
Early Payment Premium Percentage, Resulting from an Asset Sale, Percent of Principal	3.00%
Unamortized debt discount	1,700,000
Secured Debt | 12.00% Equipment Financing
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	139,800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage, Payment in Cash	7.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage, Payment in Kind (PIK) Interest	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Next Twelve Months	10,100,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, within Two Years	10,700,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, within Three Years	11,200,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, within Four Years	11,800,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, within Five Years	12,400,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Additional Payment on Five-Year Anniversary	179,900,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Possible Payment Adjustment, Years Two Through Five	18,000,000
Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions, Possible Payment Adjustment, Additional Payment on Five-Year Anniversary	147,000,000
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		3.25%
Debt Instrument, Carrying Amount, Aggregate Amount of Principal to be Paid Down	40,000,000
Unamortized debt discount		11,084,000	12,956,000
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		6.00%		6.00%
Debt Instrument, Carrying Amount, Aggregate Amount of Principal to be Paid Down	80,000,000
Unamortized debt discount		43,142,000	47,031,000
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		5.50%
Debt Instrument, Carrying Amount, Aggregate Amount of Principal to be Paid Down	40,000,000
Unamortized debt discount		16,723,000	17,919,000
Senior Notes | 10.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		10.00%
Unamortized debt discount		$10,709,000	$11,101,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat5

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Reconciliation of Principal Amount to Net Carrying Value (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$1,700,000,000
Net carrying amount	1,552,453,000	1,540,570,000
Senior Notes | 12% Senior Secured Notes, Term Loans, Due September 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	113,268,000	111,858,000
Unamortized debt discount	-12,100,000	-13,046,000
Net carrying amount	101,168,000	98,812,000
Senior Notes | 12% Senior Secured Notes for Equipment Financing, Due September 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	143,689,000	141,993,000
Unamortized debt discount	-13,586,000	-14,399,000
Net carrying amount	$130,103,000	$127,594,000

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat6

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Interest Costs on Term Loans and Equipment Financing (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
PIK interest	$3,106	$0
Secured Debt | 12.00% Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash interest	2,332
PIK interest	1,410
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,246
Total interest cost	4,988
Secured Debt | 12.00% Equipment Financing
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash interest	2,484
PIK interest	1,696
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,429
Total interest cost	$5,609

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat7

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Convertible Notes and Senior Secured Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		46 Months Ended	31 Months Ended	26 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$1,700,000,000		$1,700,000,000	$1,700,000,000	$1,700,000,000
Net carrying amount	1,552,453,000		1,552,453,000	1,552,453,000	1,552,453,000	1,540,570,000
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	206,505,000		206,505,000	206,505,000	206,505,000	206,505,000
Unamortized debt discount	-11,084,000		-11,084,000	-11,084,000	-11,084,000	-12,956,000
Net carrying amount	195,421,000		195,421,000	195,421,000	195,421,000	193,549,000
Cash interest	1,678,000	1,869,000
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,879,000	2,189,000
Total interest cost	3,557,000	4,058,000
Interest rate	3.25%		3.25%	3.25%	3.25%
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	383,000,000		383,000,000	383,000,000	383,000,000	383,000,000	27,000,000
Unamortized debt discount	-43,142,000		-43,142,000	-43,142,000	-43,142,000	-47,031,000
Net carrying amount	339,858,000		339,858,000	339,858,000	339,858,000	335,969,000
Cash interest	5,745,000	6,210,000
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	3,943,000	3,940,000
Total interest cost	9,688,000	10,150,000
Interest rate	6.00%		6.00%	6.00%	6.00%			6.00%
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	161,500,000		161,500,000	161,500,000	161,500,000	161,500,000	11,000,000
Unamortized debt discount	-16,723,000		-16,723,000	-16,723,000	-16,723,000	-17,919,000
Net carrying amount	144,777,000		144,777,000	144,777,000	144,777,000	143,581,000
Cash interest	2,221,000	2,372,000
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	1,211,000	1,287,000
Total interest cost	3,432,000	3,659,000
Interest rate	5.50%		5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Convertible Debt | Additional Paid-In Capital | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity component of convertible debt			36,227,000
Convertible Debt | Additional Paid-In Capital | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity component of convertible debt				68,695,000
Convertible Debt | Additional Paid-In Capital | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity component of convertible debt					21,815,000
Senior Notes | 10.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	650,000,000		650,000,000	650,000,000	650,000,000	650,000,000
Unamortized debt discount	-10,709,000		-10,709,000	-10,709,000	-10,709,000	-11,101,000
Net carrying amount	639,291,000		639,291,000	639,291,000	639,291,000	638,899,000
Cash interest	16,250,000	16,250,000
Accretion of discount and amortization of issuance costs	498,000	389,000
Total interest cost	16,748,000	16,639,000
Interest rate	10.00%		10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Debt Instrument, Collateral, Excluded Assets, Asset Fair Market Value, Maximum	$15,000,000		$15,000,000	$15,000,000	$15,000,000
Debt Instrument, Collateral, Excluded Assets, Cash Collateral for Line of Credits or Hedging Obligations, Maximum	105.00%		105.00%	105.00%	105.00%
Debt Instruments, Collateral, Excluded Assets, Voting Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries, Percent, Minimum	65.00%		65.00%	65.00%	65.00%

Debt_and_Capital_Lease_Obligat8

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Capital Leases (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$6,209
2016	8,279
2017	7,161
2018	5,772
2019	5,490
Thereafter	12,706
Total	$45,617

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	-3.00%	2.20%

Stockholders_Equity_Warrants_a

Stockholders' Equity - Warrants and Conversion of Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 11, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	278,032,526			259,921,868
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000,000			5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00			$0.00
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0			0
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock	$0	$2,846,000
Common Stock
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion, Conversion Rate			2
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion			4,140,000
Preferred Stock
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding				2,070,000
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock			2,800,000
Common Stock
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Conversion of shares (in shares)	2,924	1,281
Penny Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants issued					18,358,019
Exercise price					$0.01
Fair value of warrants					$24,700,000
Strike Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrants issued					6,119,340
Exercise price					$2.04
Convertible Debt Securities | Common Stock
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Conversion of shares (in shares)	18,071,175

Stockholders_Equity_ShareLendi

Stockholders' Equity - Share-Lending Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Own-share Lending Arrangement, Issuance Costs, Amortization Expense	$1,200,000
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding [Abstract]
Fair value	2,757,000
Unamortized issuance cost	12,612,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding		6,666,666	13,800,000
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%		6.00%
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%
Convertible Debt Securities | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding [Abstract]
Fair value	1,752,000
Unamortized issuance cost	8,766,000
Convertible Debt Securities | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Interest rate		5.50%
Own-share Lending Arrangement, Shares, Outstanding [Abstract]
Fair value	1,005,000
Unamortized issuance cost	$3,846,000

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period	($3,323)	($6,451)
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	4,789	-852
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	1,466	-7,303
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period	-2,339	-6,610
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	4,789	-852
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	2,450	-7,462
Postretirement benefit liability
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period	-984	159
Change in other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	0
Net income (loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Balance at end of the period	($984)	$159

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Remaining annual minimum payments under operating leases
Operating lease obligations, total minimum payments	$7,340
Operating lease obligations, Less Than 1 Year	2,299
Operating lease obligations, 1 -3 Years	3,637
Operating lease obligations, 4 - 5 Years	695
Operating lease obligations, More Than 5 Years	$709

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purchase Obligation	$10,060
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	10,060
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)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015
	lawsuit	lawsuit	employee
Class Action Lawsuits filed in US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Plant Modernization and Expansion Commitments
Number of class action lawsuits filed	2
Pending Litigation | Derivative Lawsuit
Plant Modernization and Expansion Commitments
Number of class action lawsuits filed		2
United Steelworkers of America | Molycorp Mountain Pass facility
Plant Modernization and Expansion Commitments
Number of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement			282
Percentage of workforce covered by a collective bargaining agreement			60.00%

Concentrations_Details

Concentrations (Details) (Product Concentration)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cerium products | Chemicals and Oxides
Concentrations
Entity-wide revenue, major customers	14.00%	10.00%
Neo Powders | Magnetic Materials and Alloys
Concentrations
Entity-wide revenue, major customers	46.00%	45.00%

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (Keli, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions
Balance payable to related party	$6.90
Metals
Related Party Transactions
Purchases made from related party	$12.90	$16.90

Net_Change_in_Operating_Assets2

Net Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Trade accounts receivable	($3,123)	$10,171
Inventory	-40,013	-12,157
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-7,046	-6,968
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	-4,649	-2,065
Income tax payable	988	-52
Interest payable	17,312	17,233
Asset retirement obligation	-168	-1,125
Accrued expenses	-2,664	-2,822
Net change in operating assets and liabilities	($39,363)	$2,215

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
12.00% Term Loans
Liabilities:
Fair Value Inputs, Probability Factor	10.00%
Springing Maturity on 12.00% Term Loans | Interest Expense
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	-700,000
Strike Warrants
Liabilities:
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	10.00%
Strike Warrants | Interest Expense
Liabilities:
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	1,200,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Assets:
Cash equivalents	22,613,000	57,309,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Springing Maturity on 12.00% Term Loans
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Strike Warrants
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Share Purchase Agreement
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Springing Maturity on 12.00% Term Loans
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Strike Warrants
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Share Purchase Agreement
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Springing Maturity on 12.00% Term Loans
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	8,008,000	7,292,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Strike Warrants
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	552,000	1,769,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Share Purchase Agreement
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	6,495,000	$6,165,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Publicly Traded Financial Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, carrying value	$1,734,608
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, carrying value	1,319,347	1,311,998
Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, fair value	402,137	599,049
Convertible Debt | 3.25% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due June 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.25%
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	195,421	193,549
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due September 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%		6.00%
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	339,858	335,969
Convertible Debt | 5.50% Convertible Notes, net of discount, due February 2018
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.50%
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	144,777	143,581
Convertible Debt | Level 1 | 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	20,392	88,281
Convertible Debt | Level 1 | 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	36,864	107,240
Convertible Debt | Level 1 | 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	14,031	46,028
Senior Notes | 10.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due June 2020
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate	10.00%
Senior Notes | 10.00% 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	639,291	638,899
Senior Notes | Level 1 | 10.00% 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	$330,850	$357,500

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$133,599	$211,685	$236,050	$314,317
Trade accounts receivable, net	47,697	44,575
Inventory	180,810	169,323
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	36,013	29,332
Total current assets	398,119	454,915
Non-current assets:
Deposits	31,213	31,078
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,691,051	1,707,970
Inventory	24,724	25,127
Intangible assets, net	211,726	215,871
Investments	7,793	8,801
Goodwill	102,808	102,808
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Other non-current assets	27,350	29,416
Total non-current assets	2,096,665	2,121,071
Total assets	2,494,784	2,575,986
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	35,102	40,842
Accrued expenses	30,718	33,666
Interest payable	28,184	18,300
Debt and capital lease obligations	13,953	12,560
Other current liabilities	5,691	4,686
Total current liabilities	113,648	110,054
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	17,876	17,799
Deferred tax liabilities	63,731	63,802
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,570,801	1,559,781
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	20,140	20,247
Total non-current liabilities	1,672,548	1,661,629
Total liabilities	1,786,196	1,771,683
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	278	260
Additional paid-in capital	2,247,199	2,245,478
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,466	-3,323	-7,303	-6,451
Accumulated deficit	-1,547,742	-1,445,408
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	701,201	797,007
Noncontrolling interests	7,387	7,296
Total stockholders’ equity	708,588	804,303	1,286,797	1,377,062
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,494,784	2,575,986
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,500	98,650	110,169	169,145
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,000	0
Total current assets	22,500	98,650
Non-current assets:
Deposits	1,756	1,756
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	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	2,065,509	2,063,568
Other non-current assets	14,981	16,421
Total non-current assets	2,082,246	2,081,745
Total assets	2,104,746	2,180,395
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	2,078	1
Interest payable	27,490	17,323
Debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	29,568	17,324
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Debt and capital lease obligations	1,365,417	1,357,003
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	8,560	9,061
Total non-current liabilities	1,373,977	1,366,064
Total liabilities	1,403,545	1,383,388
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	278	260
Additional paid-in capital	2,247,199	2,245,478
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,466	-3,323
Accumulated deficit	-1,547,742	-1,445,408
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	701,201	797,007
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	701,201	797,007
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,104,746	2,180,395
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	6,399	5,329	4,256	6,467
Trade accounts receivable, net	2,588	1,924
Inventory	41,057	36,956
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,644	9,673
Total current assets	60,688	53,882
Non-current assets:
Deposits	29,457	29,322
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,557,738	1,575,670
Inventory	24,724	25,127
Intangible assets, net	360	377
Investments	0	785
Goodwill	0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	90,398	91,672
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Other non-current assets	7,284	7,792
Total non-current assets	1,709,961	1,730,745
Total assets	1,770,649	1,784,627
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	11,932	14,641
Accrued expenses	13,312	15,705
Interest payable	446	551
Debt and capital lease obligations	3,315	3,234
Other current liabilities	315	263
Total current liabilities	29,320	34,394
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	17,876	17,799
Deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Debt and capital lease obligations	148,451	146,805
Intercompany accounts payable	2,189,473	2,134,041
Other non-current liabilities	1,424	1,424
Total non-current liabilities	2,357,224	2,300,069
Total liabilities	2,386,544	2,334,463
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	132,335	132,335
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Accumulated deficit	-748,230	-682,171
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	-615,895	-549,836
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	-615,895	-549,836
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,770,649	1,784,627
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	105,700	107,706	121,625	138,705
Trade accounts receivable, net	45,109	42,651
Inventory	139,753	132,367
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	24,369	19,659
Total current assets	314,931	302,383
Non-current assets:
Deposits	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	133,313	132,300
Inventory	0	0
Intangible assets, net	211,366	215,494
Investments	7,793	8,016
Goodwill	102,808	102,808
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Other non-current assets	5,085	5,203
Total non-current assets	460,365	463,821
Total assets	775,296	766,204
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	23,170	26,201
Accrued expenses	15,328	17,960
Interest payable	248	426
Debt and capital lease obligations	10,638	9,326
Other current liabilities	5,376	4,423
Total current liabilities	54,760	58,336
Non-current liabilities:
Asset retirement obligation	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	63,731	63,802
Debt and capital lease obligations	56,933	55,973
Intercompany accounts payable	639,135	658,986
Other non-current liabilities	10,156	9,762
Total non-current liabilities	769,955	788,523
Total liabilities	824,715	846,859
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	534,440	534,440
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,465	-3,323
Accumulated deficit	-592,711	-619,068
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	-56,806	-87,951
Noncontrolling interests	7,387	7,296
Total stockholders’ equity	-49,419	-80,655
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	775,296	766,204
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	-90,398	-91,672
Intercompany accounts receivable	-2,065,509	-2,063,568
Other non-current assets	0	0
Total non-current assets	-2,155,907	-2,155,240
Total assets	-2,155,907	-2,155,240
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Interest payable	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	-2,828,608	-2,793,027
Other non-current liabilities	0	0
Total non-current liabilities	-2,828,608	-2,793,027
Total liabilities	-2,828,608	-2,793,027
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	-666,775	-666,775
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,465	3,323
Accumulated deficit	1,340,941	1,301,239
Total Molycorp stockholders’ equity	672,701	637,787
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	672,701	637,787
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($2,155,907)	($2,155,240)

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$106,424	$118,526
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-105,874	-125,473
Depreciation and amortization	-25,280	-16,147
Gross loss	-24,730	-23,094
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	-21,457	-17,956
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-5,573	-7,201
Research and development	-3,141	-2,766
Operating loss	-54,901	-51,017
Other income	2,123	474
Interest expense	-46,300	-35,639
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	0	0
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-99,078	-86,182
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,968	1,907
Equity in loss of affiliates	-224	-1,723
Net loss	-102,270	-85,998
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-64	-63
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-102,334	-86,061
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,789	-852
Comprehensive loss	-97,481	-86,850
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	-97,545	-86,913
Noncontrolling interest	64	63
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Gross loss	0	0
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	-3,995	-240
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0	0
Research and development	0	0
Operating loss	-3,995	-240
Other income	-31,842	-18,271
Interest expense	-36,837	-34,555
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	8,767	10,355
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	-38,427	-43,350
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-102,334	-86,061
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Equity in loss of affiliates	0	0
Net loss	-102,334	-86,061
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-102,334	-86,061
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-102,334	-86,061
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	-102,334	-86,061
Noncontrolling interest	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	12,508	17,230
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-42,481	-53,379
Depreciation and amortization	-21,127	-12,127
Gross loss	-51,100	-48,276
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	-8,228	-8,158
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-913	-1,045
Research and development	-139	-143
Operating loss	-60,380	-57,622
Other income	-108	16
Interest expense	-3,681	-1,205
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	-611	-504
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	-1,275	323
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	-66,055	-58,992
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4	0
Equity in loss of affiliates	0	-1,707
Net loss	-66,059	-60,699
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	-66,059	-60,699
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-66,059	-60,699
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	-66,059	-60,699
Noncontrolling interest	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	102,477	113,733
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	-71,954	-84,531
Depreciation and amortization	-4,153	-4,020
Gross loss	26,370	25,182
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	-9,234	-9,558
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	-4,660	-6,156
Research and development	-3,002	-2,623
Operating loss	9,474	6,845
Other income	34,073	18,729
Interest expense	-5,782	121
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	-8,156	-9,851
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	29,609	15,844
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,964	1,907
Equity in loss of affiliates	-224	-16
Net loss	26,421	17,735
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-64	-63
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	26,357	17,672
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,789	-852
Comprehensive loss	31,210	16,883
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	31,146	16,820
Noncontrolling interest	64	63
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	-8,561	-12,437
Costs of sales:
Costs excluding depreciation and amortization	8,561	12,437
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Gross loss	0	0
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	0	0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0	0
Research and development	0	0
Operating loss	0	0
Other income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Interest income (expense) from intercompany notes	0	0
Equity (loss) income from consolidated subsidiaries	39,702	43,027
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings	39,702	43,027
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Equity in loss of affiliates	0	0
Net loss	39,702	43,027
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to Molycorp stockholders	39,702	43,027
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0
Comprehensive loss	39,702	43,027
Comprehensive loss attributable to:
Molycorp stockholders	39,702	43,027
Noncontrolling interest	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	($72,885)	($45,785)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	0	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to parent	0
Loans to guarantors	0
Repayments from parent	0
Capital expenditures	-6,333	-29,752
Other investing activities	947	493
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,386	-29,259
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	979	-489
Payments of preferred dividends	0	-2,846
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-40	-435
Repayments to parent	0	0
Repayments to non-guarantors	0
Borrowing from parent	0
Borrowing from non-guarantors	0
Intercompany advances owed	0	0
Other financing activities	-781	1,323
Net cash used in financing activities	158	-2,447
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	27	-776
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-78,086	-78,267
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	211,685	314,317
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	133,599	236,050
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-19,985	-33,089
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	-60,020	-55,041
Repayments from non-guarantor	2,000	32,000
Loans to parent	0
Loans to guarantors	-3,000
Repayments from parent	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-61,020	-23,041
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	0	0
Payments of preferred dividends		-2,846
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Repayments to parent	0	0
Repayments to non-guarantors	-1,101
Borrowing from parent	0
Borrowing from non-guarantors	4,956
Intercompany advances owed	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	3,855	-2,846
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-77,150	-58,976
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	98,650	169,145
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,500	110,169
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-50,428	-829
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	-3,673	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to parent	0
Loans to guarantors	0
Repayments from parent	0
Capital expenditures	-4,853	-27,943
Other investing activities	785	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,741	-27,943
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	0	0
Payments of preferred dividends		0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Repayments to parent	0	0
Repayments to non-guarantors	0
Borrowing from parent	0
Borrowing from non-guarantors	0
Intercompany advances owed	60,020	25,238
Other financing activities	-781	1,323
Net cash used in financing activities	59,239	26,561
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,070	-2,211
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	5,329	6,467
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,399	4,256
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-2,472	-11,867
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	0	0
Repayments from non-guarantor	0	0
Loans to parent	-4,956
Loans to guarantors	0
Repayments from parent	1,101
Capital expenditures	-1,480	-1,809
Other investing activities	162	493
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,173	-1,316
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	979	-489
Payments of preferred dividends		0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	-40	-435
Repayments to parent	-2,000	-32,000
Repayments to non-guarantors	0
Borrowing from parent	3,000
Borrowing from non-guarantors	0
Intercompany advances owed	3,673	29,803
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	5,612	-3,121
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	27	-776
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-2,006	-17,080
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	107,706	138,705
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	105,700	121,625
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Intercompany advances made	63,693	55,041
Repayments from non-guarantor	-2,000	-32,000
Loans to parent	4,956
Loans to guarantors	3,000
Repayments from parent	-1,101
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	68,548	23,041
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt	0	0
Payments of preferred dividends		0
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Repayments to parent	2,000	32,000
Repayments to non-guarantors	1,101
Borrowing from parent	-3,000
Borrowing from non-guarantors	-4,956
Intercompany advances owed	-63,693	-55,041
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-68,548	-23,041
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