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  • Illustrated map of Madagascar, uranium yellowcake next to Toliara marked with X.

    Madagascar greenlights rare earth mine

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 9, 2024

    Lifts suspension holding back development at Energy Fuels' Toliara critical minerals project. With approval from the Malagasy Council of Ministers, Energy Fuels, one of the largest uranium producers in the United States, is resuming its Toliara project in southwest Madagascar after a five-year suspension of development. "The lifting of the suspension by the Malagasy Government is a very significant step in the development of the Toliara rare earths, titanium, and zirconium... Full story

  • Hand using a magnifying glass to burn a spot on a globe showing Myanmar, China.

    Myanmar REE mining halts, prices soar

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Half the world's heavy rare earth production grinds to a halt amidst civil war. Myanmar's top exports have long been oil and natural gas, followed by fruits and vegetables, wood, fish, clothing, and rubber. Its main export partnerships are with China, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Today, this small country has found itself to be an essential source of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), vital ingredients for the magnets used in electric vehicles a...

  • White, yellow, black, and grey piles of powdered rare earth elements.

    Wyoming rare earth plant back on track

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 5, 2024

    Rare Element Resources receives federal authorization and funding to proceed with first-of-its-kind rare earth separation plant. Following a few months of slowed progress due to inflationary pressures pushing the costs to build its rare earths processing and separation demonstration plant above budget, Rare Element Resources Ltd. says the critical minerals facility being installed just outside of Upton, Wyoming, is on track to begin operations by the end of the year. Last...

  • Six petri dishes representing various colors of rare earth powder.

    NioCorp to mine, recycle REEs in Nebraska

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 2, 2024

    Underground mineral source coupled with environmentally responsible processing presents sustainable solution for domestic rare earth production. NioCorp Developments Ltd. plans to recycle post-consumer rare earth permanent magnets and produce commercial-grade magnetic rare earth oxides at its proposed Elk Creek critical minerals project in Nebraska. All of the minerals to be produced at Elk Creek are officially designated as critical to the United States and are essential to...

  • A red-hot ladle pours molten metal into an ingot mold.

    SRC pours rare earth metal in Canada

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech news|Updated Oct 2, 2024

    Milestone event forges Saskatchewan's link in North America's rare earths supply chain. In a milestone event that firmly establishes Saskatchewan as a major link in North America's burgeoning rare earths supply chain, Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has poured the first rare earth metals at its processing facility in Saskatoon, Sask. "The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to support SRC's Rare Earth Processing Facility, making Saskatchewan the first and only...

  • Up close photo of three F-35 fighter jets flying in close formation.

    DOD backs Rare Earth Salts in Nebraska

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 2, 2024

    Awards innovative company $4.2 million to recycle the terbium needed for military and industrial applications from fluorescent lights. Toward achieving its mission to establish reliable and secure supplies of minerals critical to national security, the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Nebraska-based Rare Earth Salts $4.22 million to advance its technology to recover terbium from recycled fluorescent light bulbs. "This award adds a domestic source for one of the most...

  • Line of humanoid robots working in a factory setting.

    Robots to take over rare earth markets

    Shane Lasley, Mining News|Updated Oct 2, 2024

    Adamas Intelligence forecasts that robotics and advanced air mobility will be large drivers of rare earth magnet demand in the coming years. Pullover electric vehicles, robots are expected to be the biggest driver of demand for magnet rare earths by 2040, according to the latest market outlook by Adamas Intelligence. "From a small demand category today led by industrial and consumer service robots, we forecast that robotics will grow to become the single largest NdFeB...

  • Three rows of columns on steel framework with connecting pipes in a warehouse.

    Ucore nabs Meteoric rare earth feedstock

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Aug 21, 2024

    Companies enter into preliminary deal to process Brazilian rare earth carbonates at Ucore's Louisiana SMC. As part of its plan to forge a sturdy rare earth supply chain outside of China, Ucore Rare Metals Inc. has cut a deal for the supply of 3,000 metric tons of total rare earth oxides (TREO) from a future mine at Meteoric Resources' Caldeira project in Brazil. "Ucore is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Meteoric and its world-class Caldeira project as we... Full story

  • A series of rare earth elements displayed in several piles.

    American Resources reports REE analysis

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 11, 2024

    Independent third-party lab reports over 550 ppm at Wyoming County Coal project in West Virginia. In addition to its rare earth and lithium battery material recycling and refining activities, American Resources Corp. is exploring the potential of recovering rare earths from the Wyoming County Coal project in West Virginia. "Our team has laid the foundation for this project as one of the largest, low cost, mid vol (volatile) metallurgical carbon facilities with inherent high-gr...

  • A mine worker in high visibility coveralls and hard hat monitors operations.

    SRC buys Canada's first rare earths ore

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 11, 2024

    High-grade REE concentrate previously destined for China is now on its way to Saskatchewan for further processing. As home to the first rare earths mine in Canada, Vital Metal Ltd.'s Nechalacho project in Northwest Territories grabbed national headlines as the initial link of a burgeoning rare earth supply chain that would be completely independent of China. With this being hailed as a major milestone for Canada and its allies, Vital's announcement late last year that it...

  • A well-lit industrial building in Utah reflects perfectly off a pond at night.

    Utah uranium mill produces rare earths

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 11, 2024

    Energy Fuels begins commercial neodymium-praseodymium production at White Mesa Mill; has sights set on world-class expansions. On the path to toward establishing its White Mesa Mill as a world-class hub for at least six of the metals critical to the energy transition, Energy Fuels Inc. is now producing commercial quantities of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), a pair of rare earths widely used in electric vehicle motors at the uranium production facility in southeastern Utah....

  • An instrument held up against pink- and cream-colored bands of mineralization.

    High-grade gallium, rare earths verified

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated May 30, 2024

    Idaho National Lab tests Sheep Creek samples; one rock from Montana project contains 17.8% rare earths and 350 ppm* gallium. Recent analysis by Idaho National Laboratories confirms that US Critical Materials Corp.'s Sheep Creek project in southwestern Montana hosts extremely high concentrations of gallium alongside the high-grade rare earth elements found there. "The gallium and rare earth grades, calculated and verified by Idaho National Laboratory, are higher than any that...

  • Outside of a newly built manufacturing plant with landscaping being carried out.

    MP awarded $58.5M for REE magnet plant

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated May 19, 2024

    Will use federal funds to establish the first fully integrated mine-to-magnets rare earths supply chain in the U.S. In support of the development of a complete mines-to-magnets rare earths supply chain in the United States, the Department of Energy has awarded MP Materials $58.5 million to help build a fully integrated rare earths metals and magnet plant in Texas. MP Materials, which operates the Mountain Pass Mine in California's Mojave Desert, is already a major global produ...

  • Closeup of silver-colored gallium in its crystallized form.

    High-grade gallium confirmed in Montana

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    US Critical Materials identifies outstanding gallium grades with the high-grade rare earths at its Sheep Creek project. In addition to showing promise as a high-grade domestic source of rare earths, US Critical Materials Corp.'s Sheep Creek project in Montana shows the potential to be an equally high-grade alternative to China for the gallium used in a wide array of high-tech, green energy, and military applications. "US Critical Materials looks forward to being the primary...

  • An AI representation of quantum computing with electronic structures in globes.

    Quantum computing quest lands on rare earth

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 18, 2024

    Materials scientists identified europium as an ideal element for a new material that is a strong candidate for use in quantum memory. Pioneering into the frontiers of technology has scientists venturing deeper into the periodic table to discover elements with properties required for tomorrow's innovations. This is especially true for quantum computers and networks, which demand very specific and unique attributes that require a scientific expedition into unexplored chemical re... Full story

  • Piles of black, white, grey, and yellow rare earth oxide powders.

    USA Rare Earth secures magnet feedstock

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 12, 2024

    Enters into agreement with ReElement for a domestic supply of rare earths for its magnet plant in Oklahoma. In a move that will begin to establish a circular and domestic supply chain for the powerful magnets used in electric vehicle motors, USA Rare Earth LLC has signed a deal to buy ultra-pure rare earth elements (REE) produced from ReElement Technologies Corp.'s state-of-the-art rare earths and battery metals refining facility in Indiana. "We are thrilled to be working...

  • Jars of colorful terbium, dysprosium, holmium, and erbium rare earth oxides.

    Canada doubles down on rare earths tech

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 6, 2024

    NRCan invests $5 million in SRC's REE separation plant. With a C$5 million (US$3.7 million) investment into Saskatchewan Research Council's (SRC) rare earth processing and separation facility in Saskatoon, Sask., Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is doubling down on its support of technologies that will help bolster Canada's leadership in responsible production of critical minerals needed for the clean energy and digital economy. "Separating these rare earths is instrumental in...

  • Business leaders with safety glasses in front of Ucore’s RapidSX demo plant.

    Canada invests $4M in rare earths tech

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 16, 2024

    Natural Resources Canada formalizes funding of Ucore's RapidSX REE separation demo plant in Ontario. In support of a homegrown technology that will help bolster Canada's leadership in responsible production of critical minerals needed for the clean energy and digital economy, Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration program is investing C$4.2 million (US$3.1 million) into Ucore Rare Metals Inc.'s RapidSX rare earths...

  • Burst of green northern lights over a crusher at the Nechalacho rare earth mine.

    Chinese firm buys Canada's rare earths

    Shane Lasley, Data Mine North|Updated Jan 3, 2024

    Shenghe acquires ore stockpile that symbolized a shift away from China for REEs critical to North America's green energy and high-tech sectors. High-grade ore dug up from a small open pit at Vital Metal Ltd.'s Nechalacho project in the summer of 2021 marked the start of Canada's first rare earth elements mine and the first link in an REE supply chain that was envisioned to be completely independent of China. "The combination of our efforts clearly work together towards the...

  • Closeup of column filled with fluids used to separate rare earth elements.

    Rare earth separation move, counter move

    Shane Lasley, Mining News|Updated Jan 2, 2024

    On the same day that China bans exports of REE processing tech; Ucore, RER hit milestones on cleaner and more efficient methods. In a move to hold onto its dominant position as the world's supplier of rare earths, China is now banning the exports of technologies for the processing and separation of this tightly bonded group of 15 elements needed for green energy, high-tech devices, and countless industrial and household goods. While China maintains a strong position in the...

  • Aerial view of Mountain Pass rare earth mine in California’s Mojave Desert.

    Rare earths discovered in Wyoming coal

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Jan 1, 2024

    The only rare earths mine in the United States – accounting for about 16% of the world's rare earths production – is the Mountain Pass mine in California's Mojave Desert, operated by MP Materials. The mine is partly owned by Chinese interests, which export most of what is produced out of the country for processing. China controls 91% of refining activity, 87% of oxide separation and 94% of magnet production, as recently reported in the Wall Street Journal, a supply concentrati...

  • White, yellow, black, and grey piles of powered rare earth elements.

    Wyoming rare earths plant gets final okay

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 29, 2023

    DOE finishes NEPA review needed to build demo plant that will process a high-grade rare earth sample from the Bear Lodge project north of Upton, Wyoming. Clearing another hurdle on its path to offering a reliable domestic alternative to China for the rare earths needed to propel the clean energy transition, Rare Element Resources Ltd. Nov. 16 announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has finalized its National Environmental...

  • Green bands of aurora in the winter sky above sign in front of Nechalacho camp.

    Shenghe invests in Canada rare earth mine

    Shane Lasley, Data Mine North|Updated Nov 21, 2023

    Vital Metals turns to Chinese firm to fund Nechalacho, home to first REE mine in Canada. Drifting further away from the original vision of establishing a rare earths supply chain in Canada that would help to break the West's heavy reliance on China for this suite of tech elements, Vital Metals Ltd. has turned to Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd. for funding that will allow the Australia-based REE mining company to move forward with its plans for a larger mine at its...

  • A rock hammer laying atop a pile of rare earths enriched carbonatites.

    Evidence of larger Sheep Creek REE deposit

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 24, 2023

    New geophysical surveys identify potential source of the high-grade rare earths found on the surface at Montana project. A pair of recent geophysical surveys has identified a potentially larger source of the high-grade rare earths, gallium, niobium, and other critical minerals found on the surface at U.S. Critical Materials Corp.'s Sheep Creek project in southwestern Montana. Long known as a potential domestic supply of niobium, which is a critical ingredient in high-strength...

  • Rare Earth Salts 50,000-square-foot headquarters in Nebraska.

    America's heartland supplies domestic REEs

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Aug 29, 2023

    With the technology and facilities already in place, Rare Earth Salts Separations and Refining LLC has stepped up to bat for the first fully domestic U.S. supply of critical rare earth elements by announcing the production and sale of its high-purity terbium and yttrium from recycled feedstock. Founded in 2012 by Rare Earth Salts Chief Technology Officer Joseph Brewer, his goal was to address the global need for a cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly rare...

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