Ucore Advances North American Rare Earth Processing with Key Demonstration Plant and Strategic Expansion Plans

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is advancing toward establishing a domestic rare earth element processing capability in North America, with the imminent commissioning of its RapidSX™ Commercial Demonstration Plant in Kingston, Ontario representing a critical milestone. This facility serves as a pivotal step in commercializing advanced REE separation technology that could transform North America's position in the global critical minerals market. The demonstration plant's success is essential for validating the technology before full-scale implementation at planned commercial facilities.

The company's strategic roadmap includes constructing its first Strategic Metals Complex in Louisiana, targeting an initial processing capacity of 2,000 tons of total rare earth oxides by the end of 2024. This ambitious timeline reflects the urgency in developing domestic processing capabilities for these strategically important materials. Ucore plans to scale this capacity to 5,000 tons by 2026, demonstrating a robust growth trajectory that aligns with increasing demand for rare earth elements across multiple high-tech sectors.

Beyond the Louisiana facility, Ucore has developed long-term plans for additional Strategic Metals Complexes in Alaska and Canada. These expansion initiatives are supported by the company's 100%-owned Bokan-Dotson Ridge heavy rare earth element resource in Alaska, which provides a secure feedstock source for future processing operations. This integrated approach from mine to separated products positions Ucore as a potential key player in establishing a comprehensive North American critical minerals production ecosystem.

The company's technological and strategic approach is strengthened through collaborations with specialized engineering firms including Kingston Process Metallurgy and Mech-Chem Associates. These partnerships bring essential expertise in metallurgical processing and plant design, ensuring the successful implementation of Ucore's separation technology at commercial scale. The collaborative model represents an important aspect of building the technical capacity required for competitive rare earth element processing in North America.

Government support from both U.S. and Canadian authorities has been instrumental in advancing Ucore's initiatives, reflecting broader geopolitical concerns about supply chain security for critical minerals. By developing independent REE processing capabilities, the company aims to address significant supply chain vulnerabilities that have become increasingly apparent in recent years. This strategic importance extends beyond commercial considerations to national security and economic resilience concerns.

The establishment of domestic rare earth processing capacity supports multiple emerging technology sectors that depend heavily on these materials, including renewable energy systems, advanced electronics, and sophisticated manufacturing applications. As global demand for these technologies continues to grow, secure and reliable access to processed rare earth elements becomes increasingly critical for maintaining technological leadership and economic competitiveness in North America.