- The company announced the groundbreaking of its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“SMC”) in Alexandria.
- The Louisiana SMC is designed to utilize Ucore’s proprietary RapidSX(TM) technology.
- Ucore also announced the execution of $18.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”).
Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF), a critical metals technology company developing scalable rare earth element (“REE”) refining infrastructure in North America, has marked a significant milestone in the development of a domestic REE supply chain. The company announced the groundbreaking of its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“SMC”) in Alexandria (https://ibn.fm/zPMiw). This facility represents the company’s first commercial REE refining operation and is poised to play a pivotal role in reducing North America’s reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals.
The Louisiana SMC is designed to utilize Ucore’s proprietary RapidSX(TM) technology, an advanced solvent extraction process that offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for separating REEs (https://ibn.fm/DbX2R). This technology has demonstrated the capability to process REEs at least three times faster than conventional solvent extraction methods, resulting in a significantly smaller physical footprint and reduced environmental impact.
The facility, located at the England Airpark in Alexandria, spans some 80,800 square feet and is strategically positioned to process high-purity rare earth oxides from mixed rare earth chemical concentrates obtained from multiple global feedstock sources. The initial production capacity is planned at 2,000 tonnes per annum (“tpa”) of total rare earth oxides (“TREO”), with expansions to 5,000 tpa by 2026 and 7,500 tpa by 2027.
The U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”) has recognized the strategic importance of the Louisiana SMC by providing $18.4 million in funding to accelerate the installation of the RapidSX technology at the facility (https://ibn.fm/I2A8o). This investment underscores the DoD’s commitment to strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical minerals essential to national security and technological advancement.
Ucore’s focus on the Louisiana SMC aligns with broader efforts to establish a secure and independent REE supply chain in North America. By leveraging innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, the company aims to mitigate the risks associated with foreign dependence for these vital materials. The facility’s development is a testament to Ucore’s commitment to pioneering solutions that address the growing demand for REEs in various industries, including defense, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.
While the Louisiana SMC remains Ucore’s primary focus, the company continues to advance its Bokan-Dotson Ridge project in southeast Alaska (https://ibn.fm/U4YlX). This project, which hosts the highest-grade heavy rare earth element (“HREE”) resource in the United States, is envisioned as a long-term source of HREEs to complement the feedstock for the Louisiana facility. Ucore’s strategic approach ensures that the Bokan project progresses without detracting from the immediate priorities associated with the Louisiana SMC.
The groundbreaking of the Louisiana SMC represents a significant step forward in Ucore’s mission to establish a resilient and sustainable REE supply chain in North America. Through the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and strategic collaborations, Ucore is poised to play a leading role in meeting the critical mineral needs of the future.
For more information, visit www.Ucore.com.
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