Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership advances US rare earth refining

Ucore Rare Metals

The Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership aims to anchor feedstock for a new US rare earth refinery. The Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership focuses on supplying Ucore’s planned Alexandria, Louisiana facility with reliable REE concentrates. As a result, the Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership strengthens North American efforts to build a non-Chinese rare earth value chain.

Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership targets flexible feedstock and new technology

The partnership will develop a modular US refining solution for varied rare earth feedstocks. Ucore and Metallium plan to process conventional concentrates and alternative materials such as magnet scrap and industrial waste. Therefore, the refinery should produce separated rare earth oxides from both primary and recycled sources.

Metallium contributes both exploration assets and metal recovery technology development. Its portfolio in Western Australia and Quebec is prospective for niobium, rare earths and gold. Meanwhile, Metallium holds exclusive rights to Flash Joule Heating technology from Rice University. Ucore intends to integrate this technology into its refining flowsheet to lower energy use and improve recoveries.

This technology driven approach supports higher-margin, lower-footprint REE separation. It also positions the refinery to handle evolving waste streams from magnets and other advanced materials. Over time, this flexibility could become a key differentiator in a crowded rare earth processing market.

Alexandria refinery funding and upstream REE supply building

The Alexandria refinery already has important policy and upstream backing. In May, Ucore secured an $18.4mn funding agreement from the US Department of Defense. This support underlines the strategic importance of domestic rare earth processing for defence and advanced manufacturing.

In August, Ucore signed a non-binding letter with Critical Metals for long term concentrate offtake. The agreement covers 10,000 metric tonnes per year of rare earth concentrate. Together with the Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership, this gives Ucore multiple feedstock options. Therefore, the company reduces its dependence on any single mine or jurisdiction.

As the refinery advances, Ucore will need to demonstrate technical performance and commercial scale. However, the mix of DoD funding, multiple feedstock partners and novel processing technology offers a strong platform. It also aligns with broader US and allied policies to diversify rare earth supply chains away from China.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Ucore’s collaboration with Metallium shows how processing innovation and flexible feedstock strategies now sit at the heart of rare earth security. Flash Joule Heating plus magnet scrap recovery could help bridge the gap between limited Western mines and rising oxide demand. Market participants should watch pilot performance at Alexandria and how quickly Ucore converts non-binding offtakes into bankable contracts.