The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - May 14, 2025
Ucore's RapidSX technology can separate rare earths nearly 10 times faster than traditional solvent extraction systems.
Ucore acquired this building at an industrial park for its Louisiana SMC, a commercial-scale rare earths separation plant.
The U.S. Department of Defense is investing $18.4 million to accelerate Ucore Rare Metals' installation of a commercial-scale RapidSX rare earth separation technology capable of producing six of the rare earth elements most critical to the U.S.
Developed by Ucore's subsidiary Innovation Metals Corp., RapidSX is a next-generation upgrade to the traditional solvent extraction method used for rare earth separation. Unlike conventional mixer-settler systems, RapidSX uses a compact column-based design that can separate rare earths nearly 10 times faster within one-third of the physical footprint.
The RapidSX technology being backed by DOD is designed to process six high-priority rare earths – neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium – vital to electric vehicles, wind turbines, aerospace systems, and military technologies.
"This U.S. DOD Louisiana SMC funding agreement is a critical step for Ucore's commercial advancements, but more importantly, for the progression of a Western rare earth supply chain and North American critical metals security," said Ucore Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan.
Ucore acquired this building at an industrial park for its Louisiana SMC, a commercial-scale rare earths separation plant.
The Pentagon first committed $4 million in 2023 to validate the pilot-scale operation of RapidSX at Ucore's Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Ontario. That testing confirmed the platform's ability to continuously separate both light and heavy rare earths at pilot scale.
In parallel, Canada awarded C$4.3 million (~US$3 million) to support light rare earths testing focused on neodymium and praseodymium, which are key to clean energy and defense applications.
Following the successful completion of these pilot phases, the new DOD investment will support the engineering, construction, and commissioning of a full-scale RapidSX system capable of demonstrating commercial production volumes.
Designed for scalability, the Ontario-tested configuration will serve as a template for installing RapidSX modules for a 2,000-metric-ton-per-year initial phase of operation at Ucore's Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC), a commercial-scale rare earths separation plant being developed in the U.S.
"Ucore is very appreciative to the U.S. DOD for the opportunity," Ryan added. "This dedicated expansion project to full-scale production helps anchor a truly competitive critical metals processing capability on the world stage."
Ucore says it is on track for full-scale construction and early rare earth production at the Louisiana SMC in the second half of 2026.
With more than 17 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration, and technology metals.
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