Rare earth mineral supply chain developments

Efforts to secure rare earth mineral supplies are advancing through both international partnerships and domestic expansions in the United States.

In Madagascar, Harena Rare Earths is seeking increased financial backing from the United States to progress its $142 million Ampasindava project. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation has provided an initial $4.84 million to fund technical, environmental, and regulatory preparations, including the construction of a pilot processing facility. This project aims to diversify supply chains for minerals essential to defense and green technology.

Concurrently, in the United States, American Rare Earths Limited has updated its scoping study for the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming. The expanded plan proposes a 26-year mine life with a 4.5 million tonne annual throughput, targeting a 36% increase in the projected production of neodymium and praseodymium oxide. The project involves an estimated $900 million in initial capital expenditure to integrate resources into the permanent magnet supply chain.