ReElement, a subsidiary of American Resources, produces light and heavy rare earths in Noblesville, Indiana. The only facility in the world to produce both lithium and rare earths.
U.S.-based critical minerals company ReElement Technologies has announced that it has begun daily production of light and heavy rare earth oxides at its plant in Noblesville, Indiana. According to ReElement, the subsidiary of American Resources Corporation is able to process different kinds of feedstock, including recycled material as well as fresh ores, and produce oxides for customer deliveries. Operations focus on producing rare earths for magnet production at a 99.5% purity: the light rare earths neodymium and praseodymium, as well as the heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium. It complements existing lithium carbonate production at the same facility.
Mark Jensen, CEO of ReElement, highlighted that the facility is the only one in the world producing both lithium and magnet-grade rare earth oxides; other companies would focus on either and have designated plants. Jensen added that the company works with multiple ore and recycled material providers to supply its second facility in nearby Marion. Additional equipment for increased magnet recycling and ore processing is being ordered.
In April, ReElement announced it expanded the exclusive use of patents developed at Purdue University for ligand-assisted displacement (“LAD”) chromatography. According to the company, the process is more environmentally friendly than conventional solvent extraction and offers more flexibility in processing different feedstocks. The company added that it is able to increase production. However, it did not provide an estimated production quantity.
Currently, China dominates the global rare earth processing and refining. Other countries, including the United States, are trying to diversify their supply chains and ramp up domestic capacities to reduce dependencies on the People’s Republic. Partnerships with allied countries are also part of this. A critical minerals agreement with resource-rich Australia is set to be finalized later this year, Australian Premier Anthony Albanese said last month.
Photo: TRADIUM GmbH
