High-Purity Rare Earths Harvested from Scrap Magnets at 1,800-Acre U.S. Facility

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Strategic Collaboration for Rare Earth Recycling

Australia-based Ionic Rare Earths Limited (IonicRE) and US Strategic Metals (USSM) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to develop vertically integrated rare earth production from recycling at a fully permitted 1,800-acre site in Missouri. This collaboration is centered around the deployment of patented magnet recycling technology, which aims to produce critical materials for high-tech sectors.

The partnership focuses on utilizing the proprietary hydro-metallurgical technology developed by IonicRE’s subsidiary, Ionic Technologies. This technology is designed to extract and refine rare earth elements from end-of-life permanent magnets. Tim Harrison, Managing Director of IonicRE, emphasized that magnet recycling is the fastest and lowest-cost pathway to developing an ex-China rare earth supply chain in the United States. He added that the goal is to replicate the capability demonstrated in the UK within the US to provide a key strategic supply of magnet and heavy rare earths.

Key Elements of the Project

The Missouri facility is expected to develop commercial recycling capacity for both neodymium-iron-boron and samarium-cobalt magnets. According to project specifications, the site will produce significant quantities of neodymium and praseodymium, alongside a range of strategic heavy rare earths including dysprosium, terbium, samarium, gadolinium, and holmium.

The initial phase of the partnership aims for the rapid production of high-purity, separated magnet rare earth oxides within the United States. Beyond magnet recycling, the companies intend to evaluate future expansions that could include processing a range of heavy rare earths from strategically sourced mixed rare earth carbonate feedstocks.

This approach is intended to provide a resilient and sustainable supply of separated rare earth oxides, which are essential for the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The project leverages a circular economy model, which IonicRE has already demonstrated through its operational capabilities in the United Kingdom.

Environmental Benefits and Future Expansion

Technical data from a peer-reviewed study indicates that this specific recycling process can reduce carbon emissions by up to 61% when compared to traditional primary mining and processing methods. The companies are also looking to identify further heavy rare earth recycling opportunities across the United States as part of a broader global expansion strategy.

Global Supply Chain Resilience

This partnership follows a broader international framework aimed at securing critical mineral supply chains through coordinated investment and technology development. Brett Lynch, Executive Chairman of IonicRE, highlighted that this MOU is an important step forward in building a secure and sustainable ex-China rare earths supply chain in the United States, the world’s biggest economy. He also mentioned that this initiative supports the critical minerals framework recently agreed by both the Australian and U.S. governments.

The Missouri facility will function as a central hub for these efforts, combining USSM’s existing refining capabilities with IonicRE’s separation technology to reduce dependence on foreign mineral imports. Both organizations have indicated they will continue to pursue strategic funding and supply chain collaborations to accelerate the domestic production of these vital materials.

Conclusion

The collaboration between IonicRE and USSM represents a significant step towards establishing a resilient and sustainable rare earth supply chain in the United States. By leveraging innovative recycling technology and a circular economy model, the project aims to reduce environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for critical minerals in high-tech industries. As the companies look to expand their operations, the Missouri facility will serve as a crucial node in the global effort to secure a stable and environmentally responsible supply of rare earth elements.