American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR) has begun small-scale continuous processing of ore from its Halleck Creek project in Wyoming to produce rare earth oxides and metals, advancing efforts to establish a domestic US supply chain for permanent magnets.
The testwork is underway at US metallurgy and metallization company Novex’s research facility in Washington state, where the miner aims to produce neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) oxide before converting it into metal. The programme is being carried out by American Rare Earths’ wholly owned subsidiary, Wyoming Rare, under a memorandum of understanding with Novex.
The initiative targets a critical gap in the rare earth supply chain outside China. Magnet manufacturers require rare earth metals and alloys rather than separated oxides, making metallization an essential step in supplying materials for permanent magnet production.
The trials form part of a broader effort to verify Halleck Creek’s processing methods and demonstrate the production of high-purity rare earth materials. The Cowboy State Mine represents the first planned development phase of the larger Wyoming project.
Processing trials
Under the agreement, Novex will process Halleck Creek material through a connected circuit encompassing concentration, leaching, purification, separation and conversion into NdPr oxide and metal.
The work is designed to improve the company’s understanding of the ore’s metallurgical characteristics while demonstrating whether the various processing stages can operate together.
The current campaign is separate from a larger pilot plant programme planned at the Saskatchewan Research Council in 2027.
The smaller Washington trial provides an opportunity to assess the processing sequence ahead of potential expanded testing, although its commercial viability remains to be demonstrated.
Metal production
American Rare Earths will evaluate the results before deciding whether to pursue a larger campaign with Novex targeting production of a 200-gram NdPr metal bar.
That next phase would require additional concentrate and could expand separation and metallization work to include samarium, dysprosium and yttrium, broadening the range of materials assessed beyond NdPr.
The programme could help establish a pathway from Halleck Creek’s mineral resource to US-based downstream processing, an important consideration as Western manufacturers seek alternatives to China’s dominant rare earth supply chain.
Source: https://www.mining.com/american-rare-earths-begins-testing-us-rare-earth-metal-production/
